Fake Parts, Real Threats: Combating the Infiltration of Counterfeit Parts in the Aviation Industry

This Comment addresses the historic and current-day issue of counterfeit aircraft parts in the aviation industry. Counterfeit parts—also known as fake parts, bogus parts, unapproved parts, and suspected unapproved parts (SUPs)—are any parts that do not conform to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) standards and regulations. Given the lackluster availability of public information and coverage over the issue, this Comment aims to bring more attention to the very real threat of fake aircraft parts. From the beginning of U.S. commercial aviation and the creation of regulations governing aircraft designs and parts, counterfeit parts have plagued the aviation industry. Although various federal actions have been taken to combat the issue, counterfeit parts continue to infiltrate the airplanes we travel on today. As our population grows and air travel becomes even more accessible to the American public, the need to maintain safety in U.S. air transportation grows exponentially. Counterfeit parts in aircraft create significant dangers for aircraft systems, facilities, personnel, and most concerningly, passengers.