AOG Technics Director Pleads Guilty in Global Fake Aircraft Parts Scam

The director of AOG Technics, the company at the center of a global scandal involving counterfeit aircraft engine parts, has pleaded guilty to running the business for fraudulent purposes. The case, which grounded dozens of aircraft worldwide in 2023, marks one of the most significant aviation parts fraud investigations in recent history.

Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala appeared before Southwark Crown Court in London on December 1, 2025, ahead of a planned trial following a two-year investigation by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO). Prosecutors said that between 2019 and 2023, Zamora Yrala falsified documentation for CFM56 engine components, deceiving customers about the parts’ origin, status, and airworthiness.

The CFM56 engine—jointly produced by GE Aerospace and Safran—is one of the most widely used jet engines in the world, powering thousands of Boeing 737s and Airbus A320-family aircraft. AOG Technics sold components to airlines, maintenance and repair organizations (MROs), and engine parts distributors.

In October 2023, CFM International confirmed that 126 engines were suspected of containing parts tied to AOG Technics. Most of the questionable components were non-serialized items—including bolts, nuts, seals, bushings, dampers, and washers—though regulators emphasized that no evidence suggested life-limited or serialized parts had been forged. Even so, airlines were forced to ground aircraft and conduct urgent inspections after global regulators, including the FAA, EASA, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority, issued safety alerts.

“Planes in the UK and across the world were grounded in 2023 after alerts were issued to airlines that may have bought or installed AOG’s parts,” an SFO spokesperson said.

Major airlines caught up in the crisis included Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, TAP Air Portugal, WestJet, and Virgin Australia. Many carriers had to remove engines, inspect documentation, and replace components to ensure continued airworthiness.

The SFO worked closely with Portuguese authorities during the investigation, as AOG Technics and its director were suspected of supplying falsified certifications and fraudulent parts through international channels. The parallel investigation in Portugal remains ongoing.

“This significant and audacious fraud threatened trust in the aviation industry and risked public safety on a global scale,” said Emma Luxton, Director of Operations at the Serious Fraud Office. “I’m extremely proud that we acted swiftly to secure this conviction and grateful to our law enforcement partners in Portugal for their critical assistance.”

The criminal probe intensified in December 2023, when the SFO arrested an individual during a dawn raid linked to the AOG Technics investigation. Regulators and industry experts have since called for tighter oversight of parts documentation, more rigorous traceability requirements, and stronger penalties for falsifying maintenance and certification records.

Zamora Yrala is scheduled to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on February 23, 2026. His conviction represents a milestone in the aviation industry’s efforts to combat fraudulent parts and safeguard the global fleet.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aerotime.aero