WRITTEN QUESTION E-0378/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 February 2002)

Subject: Dangerous used spare parts for aircraft

The Italian aviation authorities have revealed that American and Italian companies were marketing old, defective and recycled spare parts for aircraft. The problem reportedly affects 2 % of aircraft and it is estimated that such unsuitable spares may be responsible for 10 % of recent aviation accidents.

1. Are there any specifications with which airlines should comply in purchasing their spare parts?

2. Are there airlines which use such spare parts?

3. What measures will the Commission take to tackle this problem in a coordinated manner?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-0347/02, E-0378/02 and E-0540/02given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(4 April 2002)

The problem of non-standard spare parts is an issue the American aeronautical authorities are already well-acquainted with; to tackle this problem, they have in the past launched various initiatives which have been taken over by several European aeronautical authorities.

Given this background, the announcement by the Italian police that Airbus A300 components resulting from the cannibalisation of out-dated aircraft had been seized, implicating three companies (Panaviation, New Tech Italia and New Tech Aerospace), is to be deplored although it did not come as a surprise.

The main components of aircraft are subject to a certification procedure and their lifespan is often limited (either in time or in terms of flight hours). Aircraft components are also documented so that their origin and history can be traced.

Unfortunately, as in any sector where important financial interests are at stake, falsification is possible. Indeed, the prices of aircraft components are such that illegal trading in non-certified spare parts or parts salvaged from out-dated aircraft can prove very lucrative.

The problem is therefore very real and aviation authorities are aware of this. Consequently, the Commission will take particular care to ensure that, when the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is set up, certification procedures for aircraft components take particular account of the falsification issue.

This will consist in a detailed review of Part 21 (aircraft and spare parts certification) of the existing Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) procedures, which will form the basis for the rules on implementing the EASA that the Commission will be drawing up.

The Commission is determined not to allow air security to be weakened in this way. This cannot, however, be a substitute for the efforts the Member States should be making, since it is they that have the penal powers in the fight against the falsification of certified parts and of documents in general.