Boss sold counterfeit plane parts that grounded hundreds of flights worldwide

Boss sold counterfeit plane parts that grounded hundreds of flights worldwide Jen Mills Published December 1, 2025 2:54pm Updated December 1, 2025 2:54pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments Jose Zamora Yrala sold bogus plane parts to airlines across the globe (Picture: Central News/Web Collect/Soundcl)

A company director has pleaded guilty to supplying counterfeit plane parts, which went on to be used by airlines around the world.

Hundreds of flights had to be grounded due to Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala’s fraud while operating UK company AOG Technics came to light.

The fake plane parts he sold were for the engine used in the world’s most widely used passenger planes, the CFM56 engine, which powers Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft.

A safety alert was issued to customers who may have bought or installed the fake components, with the UK’s Serious Fraud Office investigating alongside authorities in Portugal.

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court today, former techno DJ Zamora Yrala, 37, admitted defrauding customers between January 2019 and December 2023, as well as falsifying documentation that related to the origin, status or condition of aircraft parts.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Jose Zamora Yrala pleaded guilty to fraud today (Picture: Central News/Facebook)

As well as airlines themselves, his company’s client list included maintenance providers and parts suppliers.

The issue came to light in 2023, when the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency all issued safety alerts.

More Trending

1. 

   Gary Lineker clashes with Tommy Robinson over video of him walking with daughter-in-law

   Channel: UK UK 4 hours ago By Ryan Prosser
2. Man arrested in the UK for posing with a gun while he was on holiday in the US
3. More than 24,000 left without water after Kent town runs dry
4. Disruption at UK airports confirmed this weekend after 6,000 planes found unsafe to fly

Portuguese authorities are still investigating.

Emma Luxton, director of operations at the SFO, said: ‘This significant and audacious fraud threatened trust in the aviation industry and risked public safety on a global scale.

‘I’m extremely proud that we’ve acted swiftly to secure this conviction and wish to thank law enforcement partners in Portugal for their speedy and critical assistance.’

Zamora Yrala, 37, of Virginia Water in Surrey, was granted conditional bail at Southwark Crown Court to appear for his sentencing hearing at the same court on February 23.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Arrow MORE: Prison officer had sexual relationship with inmate and smuggled cannabis into jail

Arrow MORE: Inmate smuggles Chicken Cottage takeaway at scandal-hit prison

Arrow MORE: Taxi fare dodgers caught after one of them shared police appeal on her Facebook page

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source Breaking News

Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.

Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy