BRISBANE- Virgin Australia (VA) Airlines has identified a second suspected fake Boeing 737 aircraft part supplied by the obscure UK supplier, AOG Technics Ltd.
This discovery is part of ongoing efforts within the aviation industry to locate counterfeit parts that have infiltrated the global aircraft fleet.
Virgin Australia Founds Second Fake Part
The Australian airline found a seal accompanied by fraudulent certification documents on an inner high-pressure turbine nozzle installed in a Boeing 737 aircraft, as reported by a confidential source.
The aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance in Brisbane, where the suspicious part is being removed. The source requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter.
Flight Radar data indicates that the aircraft in question diverted to Brisbane during a flight from Sydney to Gold Coast on September 16 and has remained grounded since.
Last week, Bloomberg News reported that Virgin Australia initially uncovered a potentially unauthorized part provided by AOG Technics.
According to the individual with knowledge of the investigation, this component, which was also accompanied by counterfeit documentation, was a low-pressure turbine blade on a different Boeing 737. That particular aircraft has already been restored to service.
These findings highlight the extent to which counterfeit parts have infiltrated aircraft from the United States to Australia. Southwest Airlines Co. removed two “suspicious parts” linked to the privately held AOG Technics from one of its Boeing 737s.
Additionally, major engine manufacturers General Electric Co. and Safran SA have taken legal action against AOG after discovering that parts with falsified certificates had made their way into engines.
Official Statement
Last week, Virgin Australia emphasized its unwavering commitment to safety, asserting that safety remains its top priority.
The airline employs a rigorous approach to maintenance to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained. This statement came after the initial discovery of a suspected unauthorized part.
This growing scandal has significantly impacted an industry where safety is paramount. The aviation sector adheres to stringent aircraft manufacturing and maintenance standards. Subsequently requiring the meticulous verification of each component.
AOG-supplied parts have been integrated into engines that power many older-generation Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, the most widely used commercial planes.
CFM International, the world’s largest jet engine manufacturer, has filed a lawsuit in the UK against AOG Technics. The lawsuit seeks an injunction compelling AOG to provide additional information to assist the aviation industry in its search for potentially problematic components.
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