FBI Searches GKN Aerospace After Chemical Tank Incident

The FBI served a search warrant at the GKN Aerospace facility in Garden Grove, California, on Wednesday. The action follows a chemical tank incident last month that forced over 50,000 residents to evacuate due to fears of a catastrophic explosion.

A federal judge approved the warrant, authorizing agents to seize documents and records related to the storage, use, or disposal of methyl methacrylate—the chemical inside the overheated tank. The warrant also permits seizure of samples from any container suspected of holding the hazardous substance, as well as records on cooling equipment used to regulate its temperature.

The incident occurred at GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, a facility that manufactures cockpit windows, canopies, and windshields. The overheated tank contained 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate, which is highly flammable and used in plastics manufacturing. Exposure to the chemical can cause respiratory problems, neurological issues, and skin irritation.

According to CBS News, aerial footage showed FBI agents and Environmental Protection Agency personnel at the facility. The Orange County District Attorney's Office is also conducting a criminal investigation into the incident. Spokesperson Kimberly Edds confirmed that a preservation letter was sent to GKN, directing them not to modify or destroy any evidence.

About a dozen people and businesses have filed lawsuits against GKN Aerospace, citing negligence and health issues resulting from the evacuation. Residents reported strong odors, respiratory irritation, headaches, and dizziness. Orange County health officials assured residents that no contamination was released but pledged to monitor air quality for several months.

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against GKN Aerospace after one of the company's tanks containing a highly flammable chemical overheated and threatened a catastrophic explosion last month, according to PBS. The suits seek compensatory and punitive damages, with ten cases filed as class actions in federal court and 21 in state court covering varying numbers of plaintiffs.

Debbie Cohran, who lives about 500 feet from the aerospace facility, was not told to evacuate until several hours after the leak started. Her suit said she experienced nausea and headaches for several days afterward. Melanie Rose Burciaga, who had just given birth, had to leave the hospital when evacuation orders came in.

Juan Diego Orozco, part of a street repair crew working nearby on the day the overheating started, suffered a headache and went to the hospital due to difficulty breathing and vomiting. The lawsuits allege that GKN Aerospace was negligent in maintaining a safe facility, especially given its location in a large population center.

A spokesperson for GKN Aerospace told AP News that the company respects the legal process and will respond to these lawsuits in due course. Adam Zimmerman, a professor at USC Gould School of Law, noted that the federal cases will likely be consolidated and state cases moved under one judge to ensure efficient handling.