Ethics in aviation_AOG Technics sells fake parts to airlines

 

Ethics should be emphasized in all areas of aviation, an industry where human life can be the consequence if anything other than ethical behavior occurs.  An emphasis on ethical policy is a forcing-function for manufactures, regulators, suppliers, and airlines to prioritize quality and safety within the aviation industry.  The AOG Technics scandal is an example where profit and greed were valued over ethics.

The scandal involving counterfeit jet engine components supplied by Aircraft On Ground (AOG) Technics came to light in 2023, exposing the distributor for providing fake/unverified parts to major airlines and manufacturers worldwide. According to BBC Business AOG falsified documents, such as maintenance records, for components used in engines.  These components were used in aircraft like the Airbus A320 and 737 Max endangering both crew-members and passengers (BBC News, 2023).  It’s terrifying that major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and United, flew aircraft with these counterfeit parts.  Commercial Fan Motors (CFM) International became suspicious of the parts due to questionable component certificates and this triggered an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Reuters, 2023).  The investigation into the suspected counterfeit parts and AOG Technics exposed their cheap copycat parts. 

AOG Technics’ Director, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, a former DJ was criminally charged by the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for fraudulent trading (UK Gov, 2025).   The entire incident was an aviation tragedy waiting to happen.  Thankfully it was caught before a critical component failed and potentially lead to death.  The AOG Technics scandal is a case-study in ethical principles not being prioritized over financial gain.  Safety of flight-crew and the public should always be the priority in corporate decision-making and policy.  

There are laundry lists of seemingly inconsequential components failing and leading to catastrophic aviation accidents.  The U.S. Army's rotary fleet has numerous examples of component failure leading to deaths; from the AH64's strap-pack nut to the UH60 stabilator's actuator.  The fact that Zamora Yrala lacked the ethical principles to stop him from selling fake parts that were install in aircraft is disturbing. 

 

BBC News. (2023, December 13). Fake plane parts scandal prompts inspections and fraud probe. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67641076

Reuters. (2023, September 20). Engine maker CFM says up to 96 planes affected by fake parts probe. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/engine-maker-cfm-says-up-96-planes-affected-by-fake-parts-probe-2023-09-20/

UK Government, SFO. (2025, May 15). SFO charges global aircraft parts supplier with fraud offence. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sfo-charges-global-aircraft-parts-supplier-with-fraud-offence