Lawsuit Reveals 68 Jet Engines on A320s and 737s Contaminated with Counterfeit Components

A lawsuit filed by engine manufacturer CFM International reveals that falsely certified components were fitted to 68 of its engines. A UK-based supplier is said to have fabricated documentation for parts that were later fitted to engines powering Airbus A320-family and Boeing 737 aircraft.

The development provides the first hint at how many older-generation Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft may have been fitted with spare parts that London-based AOG allegedly sold with falsified airworthiness records. It’s unclear whether additional engines may have used unauthorized replacement parts.

The lawsuit, which was filed on September 7, 2021, in a U.S. district court in Ohio, accuses AOG Technics Ltd. of supplying “unapproved parts” with forged certificates to CFM and its customers. CFM is a joint venture between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines that produces the CFM56 engine, one of the most widely used jet engines in the world.

The lawsuit claims that AOG Technics engaged in “deceptive practices” to sell parts that did not meet the required standards and specifications. The parts included turbine blades, which are critical components that rotate at high speeds and temperatures inside the engine. The lawsuit alleges that AOG Technics falsified the origin, condition, and traceability of the parts, as well as the qualifications and signatures of the inspectors who certified them.

The lawsuit seeks to compel AOG Technics to disclose more information about the parts it sold, such as the serial numbers, dates, and customers involved. The lawsuit also seeks damages and injunctive relief from AOG Technics for breach of contract, fraud, and unfair competition.

The lawsuit follows an alert issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on August 27, 2021, warning airlines and maintenance providers about the fake parts supplied by AOG Technics. EASA said that it had received reports of “numerous” forged certificates from AOG Technics and advised operators to remove any parts with questionable documentation.

CFM said that it had notified its customers and regulators about the issue and that it was working with them to identify and replace any affected parts. CFM also said that it had not received any reports of accidents or incidents related to the fake parts

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, reddit.com, zerohedge.com