EASA Sounds Alarm: Theft of 625 Aircraft Engine Parts in Spain
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an urgent safety warning on March 26, 2026. This alert came after 625 non-airworthy turbofan engine parts were stolen in a sophisticated fraud operation in Spain. The theft took place in late January 2026 when criminals, posing as a contracted mutilation service, rerouted 12 containers of engine components destined for destruction.
The stolen parts comprise critical and life-limited components from widely-used engines. These include the CFM International CFM56, Pratt & Whitney PW1100G, International Aero Engines V2500, and Rolls-Royce RB211. These engine families power popular aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737NG.
EASA has voiced serious concerns that these formally declared non-airworthy parts may be offered for sale on the open market with forged documentation. This could potentially compromise flight safety worldwide. The agency has published a comprehensive list of serial numbers and is urging airlines, maintenance organizations, and parts buyers to inspect their inventories and quarantine any suspect components immediately.
“While law enforcement agencies are investigating the case, and considering the scale and modus operandi of the theft, EASA is of the opinion that the parts may be offered for sale on the open market,” the agency stated.
The warning comes against the backdrop of the 2023 AOG Technics scandal, which exposed vulnerabilities in the engine-parts supply chain.
Aircraft operators and maintenance organizations worldwide are now conducting enhanced inspections. This is to ensure these stolen, unapproved parts do not enter the aviation supply chain.
Source: https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/easa-warns-stolen-engine-parts-could-re-enter-market