FAA investigating alleged 'counterfeit' titanium in Boeing and Airbus planes

Commercial airline makers Boeing and Airbus are under investigation from the Federal Aviation Administration for allegedly using "counterfeit" titanium in planes.

Allegations from Spirit Aerosystems state that the airline makers used titanium that was sold using fake documents.

The FAA told NBC News Friday morning that it would be investigating the claims made about the airline makers.

“This is about titanium that has entered the supply system via documents that have been counterfeited. When this was identified, all suspect parts were quarantined and removed from Spirit production,” Spirit Aerosystems said in a statement. 

Spirit also added that over "1,000 tests have been completed to confirm the mechanical and metallurgical properties of the affected material to ensure continued airworthiness.” 

The FAA confirmed that an investigation would be taking place, adding in a statement that "Boeing reported a voluntary disclosure to the FAA regarding procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records." 

"This industry-wide issue affects some shipments of titanium received by a limited set of suppliers, and tests performed to date have indicated that the correct titanium alloy was used," Boeing told NBC in a statement via email.

Airbus, headquartered in France, controls about 60% of the commercial airline market while Boeing controls the remaining 40%.