CFM International has issued an update regarding the number of engines that have now been identified as containing parts sourced from British supplier AOG Technics.
According to the engine maker, it has identified 126 engines suspected of being fitted with falsely documented parts to date.
During extensive reviews CFM International even identified four instances where parts from AOG entered its own Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, impacting 16 engines.
In its update on October 4, 2023, CFM said the 126 affected engines reflected “less than one percent of the 22,600 CFM56 engines in service globally”.
It added: “We promptly informed the impacted operators, and we are removing the parts associated with AOG parts at no cost.”
One instance where unverified parts entered its own facilities was through CFM Materials. The other three occasions involved indirect purchases from suppliers who sourced parts with falsified forms from AOG and unknowingly sold them to CFM. A further 110 instances affected engines at non-OEM facilities.
In September 2023 CFM said that 96 engines had been affected.
CFM also confirmed on October 4, 2023, that it is reviewing documents that AOG were forced to hand over to the engine maker due to a High Court ruling in the United Kingdom (UK) on September 20, 2023.
A spokesperson for CFM said: “CFM is reviewing the documentation turned over by AOG Technics as part of our effort to determine the full extent of their sale of parts with fraudulent documentation. We are working collaboratively with operators so they can promptly remove the unauthorized parts from their engines in accordance with the recommendations issued by the regulatory agencies. We remain united with the aviation community in working to keep unapproved parts out of the global supply chain.”
To date, CFM, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, has identified 95 falsified documents covering 61 CFM56 part numbers and two falsified documents covering two CF6 part numbers.
It is understood that the “majority of the parts involved are non-serialized items like bolts, nuts, washers, dampers, seals and bushings,” and CFM aren’t aware of any fraudulent documentation associated with life-limited parts.
American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, TAP and Virgin Australia Airlines have all previously confirmed the same.