Ex-NASA Inspector Accused of Fraud
A former NASA inspector lied about examining highly critical space shuttle parts -- sometimes not even entering the orbiter to make his checks -- in the months before and after the Columbia accident, according to an indictment released Tuesday.
The case against Billy T. Thornton comes amid the space agency’s prolonged struggle to repair safety flaws exposed by the disintegration of Columbia, which killed seven astronauts Feb. 1, 2003.
During his 15-year career, Thornton inspected the entire shuttle fleet, but the charges involve Discovery, set to be the first shuttle launched since the grounding of the fleet, possibly next summer.
A 166-count indictment unsealed Tuesday in federal court accuses the 54-year-old former quality-assurance specialist from Port St. John of rubber-stamping inspections by National Aeronautics and Space Administration contractors on electronics and other components considered crucial for safe flight.
For instance, on Dec. 13, 2002, Thornton allegedly signed off on 65 inspections of Discovery’s interior structure without entering the orbiter to check repairs by the civilian contractor, United Space Alliance.
Each was classified as a “criticality 1” inspection. That means that the part being inspected doesn’t have a backup system -- and could destroy the shuttle and its crew if it fails.
Thornton would not comment. But his lawyer, Kepler Funk of Melbourne, said there was no wrongdoing, only a difference of opinion about his client’s work.
In total, Thornton is charged with falsifying 83 inspections over nine days from Oct. 24, 2002, to May 14, 2003. NASA fired him in September 2003.
Each of the 83 counts of fraud involving space vehicle parts carries up to $500,000 in fines and 15 years in prison. The remaining 83 counts, which charge him with filing a false statement, each carries up to five years in prison.
The independent board that investigated the Columbia tragedy did not find any evidence that poor quality inspections contributed to it. But the board suggested that NASA reinspect many critical parts, as well as beef up its inspection regimen, especially at Kennedy Space Center.
Thornton, who was arrested at his home Monday night, was released on his own recognizance Tuesday.
