RYANAIR has found suspected counterfeit parts in its plane engines – becoming the latest airline to become embroiled in a growing crisis.
The low-cost carrier revealed it found allegedly faulty parts on two of its planes while they were being checked in Texas and Brazil.
The company's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said the parts - believed to have come from London firm AOG Technics - had been removed.
In October it was revealed that the British airline industry was frantically checking its planes after AOG Technics was accused of supplying components with false safety certificates.
Ryanair is the latest airline to be caught up in the scandal – with Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines having already found suspicious parts.
The company's CEO, Mr. O'Leary, told Bloomberg that the company never negotiated with AOG, but obtained parts for two engines from third parties.
He said the company found the components after being asked to check its planes when allegations surrounding AOG began to emerge.
O'Leary added that Ryanair was “largely unaffected” by the crisis.
AOG Technics Ltd has been put under the microscope by regulators after allegedly allowing Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 models to take off with fake engine parts.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed in October that UK airlines had purchased – and flown with – parts purchased from the company.
The CAA said at the time: “We can confirm that we are one of a number of organizations investigating this, but we cannot comment further on the ongoing investigations.”
The authority then urged airlines to examine their records, adding: “For each part obtained, the approved organization identified in the ARC [airworthiness certificates] to the origin of the certificate,” they added.
“If the approved organization certifies that the ARC does not originate from that organization, all affected parties must be quarantined to prevent installation.
“If a part is found with counterfeit ARC that has already been installed, it must be replaced with an approved part.”
A aviationline reported that AOG allegedly provided false organizations in its airworthiness certificates.
This was investigated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
AOG is now on trial before the High Court in London.
During a hearing in October, the company did not comment on the alleged falsified security certificates.
Judge Richard Meade ordered the company and its sole director, Jose Zamora Yrala, to disclose all documents relating to hundreds of purchases and shipments.
Lawyers representing AOG Technics and Zamora Yrala said the defendants are cooperating with the investigation.
Via The Sun
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