- United Airlines identified faulty parts from AOG Technics in the engines of two of its aircraft.
- The parts found were seals on compressor stator vanes, critical in directing the airflow within the engine.
- A global scrutiny of AOG Technics is underway, with aviation regulators highlighting the company's provision of parts accompanied by falsified documents.
United Airlines Joins Global Carriers in Identifying Dubious AOG Technics Components
CHICAGO —On Monday, a spokesperson for United Airlines confirmed the discovery of dubious components supplied by AOG Technics in the engines of two of its aircraft, an issue that is becoming increasingly common among global carriers. The malfunctioning parts were detected in a single engine on each of the planes, with one of them already undergoing routine maintenance. The representative noted that the engines are in the process of being replaced before the aircraft resume flying.
The unsettling discovery was made possible through fresh data obtained from the airline's suppliers. The search is far from over, as United remains committed to delving deeper into the matter, pledging to continue the investigation as they receive more details. The parts in question were identified as seals on compressor stator vanes, which play a crucial role in steering the airflow within the engine. However, the specific type of aircraft the impacted engines had served remains undisclosed by the airline.
United Airlines’ revelation positions it among other major airlines, including Southwest Airlines Co. and Virgin Australia Airlines Pty, that have reported the integration of questionable components from AOG in their fleets. This comes after aviation regulators raised red flags over AOG Technics supplying a myriad of engine spare parts supported by falsified airworthiness documents, sparking a worldwide industry initiative to track down any other potentially counterfeit components.
The alarm surrounding the authenticity of parts from AOG Technics has echoed loudly within the aviation industry, with CFM International Inc., a collaborative venture between General Electric Co. and Safran SA, acknowledging the use of fraudulently documented parts in 68 of its power plants. The company, a prominent manufacturer of engines for a significant portion of older Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, stands as a testimony to the extensive reach of the issue.
