Boeing shuts down Chinook production line at Pa. plant

Boeing Rotorcraft Systems temporarily shut down a production line for several hours Tuesday at its suburban Philadelphia plant because of possible irregularities discovered in two military helicopters.

The company disclosed few specifics about why the shutdown of the H-47 Chinook helicopter line at the plant in Ridley Township, Pa., occurred. It said an investigation was under way and it was working with the Defense Contract Management Agency, which oversees military suppliers.

Jack Satterfield, a company spokesman, said workers were expected to report for work Wednesday, even as the investigation continued.

Rep. Joe Sestak, a Democrat whose district includes the plant, said he was told during a briefing that wires that appeared to be broken or severed were found in one helicopter and a suspicious washer was found in a second.

Sestak said the assessment was preliminary and he expects that the findings of a more thorough review would be available on Wednesday. He praised Boeing's handling of the situation, and said it was much too early to speculate on what happened.

Satterfield said the shutdown was isolated to the line at the Pennsylvania plant and does not affect operational aircraft.

The Chinook is known as the Army's workhorse aircraft. It is used to transport troops and supplies.

Boeing is currently producing new Chinooks for the Army, as well as updating older models.

A message left Tuesday evening with the Defense Contract Management Agency was not immediately returned.