This article summarizes reporting by Fox News and official filings from Southwark Crown Court.

AOG Technics Director Sentenced to Prison for Massive Fake Parts Scheme

A former techno DJ turned aviation parts supplier has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that infiltrated the global aviation supply chain with thousands of unverified components. According to reporting by Fox News and court records released this week, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, the founder of AOG Technics, pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading after admitting to selling over 60,000 Commercial-Aircraft parts backed by forged safety documents.

The sentencing at Southwark Crown Court in London marks the conclusion of a scandal that grounded aircraft worldwide and cost the aviation industry an estimated £39.3 million ($53 million). The fraud specifically targeted the CFM56 engine, the most widely used commercial jet engine in the world, raising urgent questions about the vulnerability of regulatory frameworks that rely heavily on paper documentation.

The “Garage” Operation That Fooled the World

Prosecutors revealed that between January 2019 and July 2023, Zamora Yrala operated AOG Technics from his home in Virginia Water, Surrey. Despite presenting the company as a legitimate global supplier, the operation was run almost entirely by Zamora Yrala using a laptop and graphic design software.

According to court findings, the defendant forged Authorised Release Certificates (ARCs), which are critical documents guaranteeing a part’s airworthiness and origin. He utilized two primary methods to deceive buyers:

• Alteration: Modifying genuine certificates from other suppliers to match his inventory.
• Fabrication: Creating entirely fake documents using software to mimic official regulatory forms.

To maintain the illusion of a large-scale enterprise, Zamora Yrala invented fictitious employees, including non-existent sales and quality managers, to sign emails and documents. Prosecutors noted that approximately 90% of the business conducted by AOG Technics was fraudulent, generating £6.9 million ($9 million) in revenue for the firm.

Global Fallout and Safety Risks

The fraudulent parts were primarily small components such as bolts, washers, and seals. While these are not major rotating parts like turbine blades, aviation experts warn that their failure could still lead to significant safety hazards, including oil leaks or engine shutdowns.

The scheme unraveled in 2023 due to the diligence of an engineer at TAP Air Portugal. Suspicious of a part’s documentation, the engineer contacted the manufacturer, Safran, for verification. Safran confirmed the certificate was a forgery, triggering a chain reaction across the industry.

Following the discovery, major regulators including the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued urgent safety alerts. This forced airlines to ground fleets and inspect engines for the suspect parts.

Financial and Operational Impact

The cost of the fraud extended far beyond the purchase price of the fake parts. Airlines including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Ryanair, and Ethiopian Airlines were forced to remove aircraft from service to replace components. The total financial damage, covering grounded flights, replacement hardware, and engineering labor, is estimated at £39.3 million.

Judge Simon Picken remarked that the defendant’s actions represented a “more or less complete undermining” of the regulatory framework designed to protect passenger safety.

Defense and Sentencing

During the proceedings, Zamora Yrala’s defense attorney argued that the former DJ did not fully appreciate the catastrophic potential of his actions, suggesting he merely “cut corners.” However, the prosecution emphasized the sophistication of the forgeries and the deliberate nature of the deception over a four-year period.

Ultimately, the court handed down a sentence of four years and eight months. The case has served as a wake-up call for the industry, highlighting how easily a single individual could bypass safety checks that rely on trust and static documentation.

AirPro News Analysis

The Vulnerability of “Paper Trust”

While the sentencing of Zamora Yrala closes the chapter on AOG Technics, it opens a wider debate about the antiquated nature of aviation supply chain verification. The fact that a “garage operation” could introduce 60,000 parts into the global fleet using Photoshop highlights a critical weakness: the industry still relies heavily on PDF and paper-based Authorised Release Certificates (ARCs) that are easily forged.

We anticipate this case will accelerate the push toward digital immutability in aviation maintenance. Technologies such as blockchain-verified ledgers or centralized digital databases for ARCs, where a certificate cannot be “photoshopped” because its validity is checked against a live manufacturer database, are likely to move from experimental pilots to industry requirements. Trust can no longer be assumed; it must be digitally verified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which aircraft engines were affected by the fake parts?
The fraud specifically targeted the CFM56 engine, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran. This engine powers the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families.

Were any accidents caused by these parts?
There have been no reports of accidents or injuries directly attributed to the parts sold by AOG Technics. The parts were identified and removed following regulatory alerts.

How was the fraud discovered?
The scheme was exposed in 2023 when an engineer at TAP Air Portugal noticed irregularities in documentation and contacted the manufacturer, Safran, who confirmed the forgery.

Sources

Fox News, Southwark Crown Court Filings, UK Serious Fraud Office.

This article summarizes reporting by the Associated Press and journalist Josh Funk.

House Rejects ROTOR Act: Mandate for Anti-Collision Tech Stalls Amid Pentagon Opposition

Legislation designed to mandate advanced aircraft locator systems near busy airports failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, dealing a blow to safety advocates who have championed the technology for nearly two decades. The bill, known as the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act (S. 2503), was introduced in direct response to a fatal midair collision near Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA) in January 2025.

According to reporting by the Associated Press, the measure failed to win necessary approval despite the backing of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has long argued that the technology, which her agency first recommended in 2008, is essential for preventing tragedies like the one that claimed 67 lives last year.

While the bill received a majority of votes (264–133), it was brought to the floor under a suspension of the rules, a procedural move that requires a two-thirds supermajority for passage. The failure highlights a deepening rift between safety regulators, the military, and general aviation groups over how best to modernize airspace surveillance.

The ROTOR Act and the Push for ADS-B In

The ROTOR Act sought to close a critical technological gap in safety by mandating the installation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) “In” technology. While most aircraft in controlled airspace are already required to have ADS-B “Out” (which broadcasts their location to ground controllers), ADS-B “In” allows pilots to see the precise location of other aircraft directly on their cockpit displays.

The legislation aimed to require this receiving technology for all aircraft operating in complex airspace by December 31, 2031. Additionally, it sought to repeal Section 373(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a provision that currently permits military aircraft to disable their location broadcasters during sensitive missions.

The “Blood on Hands” Argument

The NTSB has been vocal about the necessity of this technology. Following the failure of the vote, proponents of the bill pointed to the agency’s longstanding frustration with regulatory delays. According to the Associated Press, the NTSB head noted that the system has been a standing recommendation for 18 years.

In testimony regarding the legislation, Chair Homendy emphasized the human cost of inaction:

“The question is: How many more people need to die before we act?”

— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair (via legislative records)

Why the Bill Failed: Security and Bureaucracy

Despite passing the Senate unanimously, the ROTOR Act faced a coalition of opposition in the House that ultimately prevented it from reaching the two-thirds threshold.

Pentagon Opposition

A primary factor in the bill’s defeat was late-breaking opposition from the Department of Defense. The Pentagon withdrew its support due to concerns regarding the repeal of NDAA Section 373(a). Defense officials argued that strict requirements for military aircraft to broadcast their location at all times could compromise operational security, particularly during classified or sensitive training missions.

Competing Legislation: The ALERT Act

The ROTOR Act also faced resistance from general aviation groups and House leadership who favor a competing bill, the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026 (H.R. 7613). Supported by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the ALERT Act proposes a regulatory rulemaking process rather than a legislative mandate.

Supporters of the ALERT Act argue that a rulemaking process allows for necessary industry input and cost-benefit analyses, ensuring that mandates do not place an undue financial burden on small aircraft owners. However, critics, including the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), contend that this approach merely delays life-saving implementation through bureaucracy.

Context: The 2025 DCA Tragedy

The urgency behind these legislative efforts stems from the catastrophic midair collision on January 29, 2025, near Washington Reagan National Airport. The crash involved an American Airlines regional jet (operated by PSA Airlines) and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

Investigations revealed a fatal blind spot in the current system:

• The Black Hawk was on a training mission and was not broadcasting its location via ADS-B Out.
• The regional jet lacked ADS-B In, leaving the pilots without a digital display of surrounding traffic.

NTSB analysis determined that if the regional jet had been equipped with ADS-B In, the pilots would have had approximately one minute of warning, enough time to alter course. Instead, they had only 19 seconds of visual warning, which proved insufficient to avoid the collision.

AirPro News Analysis

The failure of the ROTOR Act illustrates the complex tension between civil aviation safety and national security interests. While the NTSB’s mandate is singular, preventing accidents, the legislative branch must weigh these recommendations against the Department of Defense’s operational requirements.

We observe that the “suspension of the rules” procedure was a calculated risk by the bill’s sponsors that ultimately backfired. By bypassing the standard amendment process to expedite the vote, proponents required a higher threshold for passage that they could not meet once the Pentagon signaled its disapproval. The focus now shifts to the ALERT Act, where the battle will likely move from the House floor to the slow-moving corridors of FAA rulemaking. For passengers, this likely means that the “technological safety net” envisioned by the NTSB remains years away from universal implementation.

Sources

Associated Press / WRAL. (link)

This article summarizes reporting by WCNC and Nathaniel Puente.

Single-Engine Aircraft Overturns at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport; Three Injured

A single-engine aircraft was involved in a landing accident at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) on the afternoon of Monday, February 23, 2026. According to reporting by WCNC, three individuals sustained injuries in the crash. Emergency responders transported the victims to a local hospital, where their conditions were described as non-life-threatening.

The incident prompted an immediate closure of the runway while authorities secured the scene. As reported by local outlets, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and is expected to lead the investigation into the cause of the accident.

Incident Details and Emergency Response

The accident occurred as the single-engine piston aircraft attempted to land at the airfield, which is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Charlotte, North America. Citing information from city officials, local news reports indicate that the aircraft overturned during the landing sequence and exited the runway.

The plane reportedly came to a rest between 200 and 300 feet away from the tarmac. Despite the severity of the rollover, there were no fatalities. WCNC reports that all three occupants survived the impact.

Medical Transport and Airport Status

Following the crash, airport staff alerted Monroe police and fire personnel. The three victims were transported to Atrium Health CMC Main in Charlotte. Authorities have confirmed that the injuries sustained are not life-threatening.

City of Monroe officials announced via social media that the runway would remain closed to all traffic pending an “all-clear” from investigators. This closure affects both corporate and recreational traffic at the busy general aviation hub.

Investigation and Safety Context

The FAA has dispatched investigators to the scene to determine the specific factors contributing to the crash. While the make and model of the aircraft have not yet been publicly released, the investigation will likely focus on landing conditions, mechanical performance, and pilot operations.

AirPro News analysis

General Aviation Safety Trends

While the specific cause of this incident remains under investigation, landing excursions and loss of control on landing are among the most common types of accidents in general aviation. The Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport serves as a critical reliever airport for Charlotte Douglas International Airport, handling a mix of corporate jets and smaller piston aircraft. As traffic volume increases in the expanding Charlotte metropolitan area, the management of mixed-use airspace and runway operations remains a priority for regional aviation safety officials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the crash occur?
The incident took place at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport (EQY) in Monroe, North Carolina.

How many people were injured?
Three people were injured. All were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Is the airport currently open?
As of the latest updates on Monday afternoon, the runway remains closed pending an FAA investigation.

What type of plane was involved?
The aircraft is described as a single-engine piston airplane. The specific make and model have not been released.

Sources

• WCNC
• WSOC-TV
• City of Monroe Official Statements