Startendes Flugzeug: Zahl der verdächtigen Triebwerke liegt bei annähernd 100
Foto:
Soeren Stache / dpa
A huge scandal may be brewing in the aviation industry. According to a report from the industry service „Air Data News,“ manufacturer CFM has delivered an unknown number of CFM56 and CF6 engines that contain parts not approved by aviation authorities. The company, a joint venture between US technology conglomerate General Electric and French engine specialist Safran, announced the issues in a statement last Wednesday.
CFM56-Triebwerke sind im Luftverkehr weitverbreitet und treiben sehr beliebte Flugzeuge wie die Boeing 737 Classic und NG sowie die gesamte erste Generation der A320-Familie an. Darüber hinaus hat GE Hunderte Großraumflugzeuge mit dem CF6-Triebwerk ausgestattet. Dazu gehören auch die 767 und der A330.
Gefälschte Zertifikate
Military aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon and the KC-46 Pegasus could also be affected by the scandal. Although these jets are constantly being retired and replaced by more modern aircraft, there are still thousands of CFM56 engines in use worldwide.
„I cannot reword“
CFM weist dem britischen Zulieferer AOG Technics die Schuld zu. Das Unternehmen soll gefälschte Zertifikate für die von ihm hergestellten Teile verwendet haben. Mit einer Klage vor dem High Court in London soll AOG nun zur Herausgabe von Dokumenten über die fraglichen Teile gezwungen werden. Offensichtlich geht die Produktion bis ins Jahr 2015 zurück.
According to „Air Data News,“ the primary objective is to quickly identify the airplanes that may have engines containing unauthorized parts. So far, the company has discovered 86 counterfeit documents, and there are approximately 100 engines under suspicion.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has already issued a warning to owners of aircraft with such engines, urging them to inspect their aircraft or parts inventory.
In June, TAP Manutenção e Engenharia from Portugal reported the first suspicion regarding the origin of the parts. Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Australia have also reportedly identified some aircraft with AOG parts, according to Bloomberg.