Feds: Coos Bay co. sold phony helicopter parts
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – Investigators say a Coos Bay defense contractor sold phony replacement parts to the military. Those parts, investigators say, could cause attack helicopters to crash.
In search warrant affidavits filed in federal court in Eugene, investigators for the U.S. Department of Defense said they have evidence that Kustom Products Inc. – and related companies owned by Harold Bettencourt II – provided the military with lock nuts meant for tanks and trucks. However, investigators said the contract was for more expensive and differently designed lock nuts that secure the rotors on Kiowa attack helicopters.
A man answering the phone at Kustom Products said they have no comment on the investigation.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
