Investigations

On May 19, 2011, Guillermo Galvan, president and owner of Aviation Engine Services (AES), a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-approved repair station, and Jorge Gomez, AES's Chief Inspector pled guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of false statements concerning aircraft parts.

The investigation revealed that AES performed maintenance, returned aircraft parts to service, and issued FAA 8130 Airworthiness Certificates, using tools and equipment that had not been timely calibrated.  Specifically, Mr. Galvan and Mr. Gomez made false representations to a customer of AES concerning the calibration of an Almen Gauge, a tool used to measure the intensity of the "shotpeening" process as required by the turbine engine manufacturer's Standard Practices Manual which is adhered to in repairing and certifying the turbine engine airworthy so it can be returned to service.  Ultimately, the aircraft parts were installed in a turbine engine on a commercial aircraft.

Sentencing is set for July 13, 2011.   This investigation was conducted by DOT OIG with assistance from the FAA South Florida Flight Standards District Office.