Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993 TAG: 9309240130
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
DATELINE: MIAMI LENGTH: Medium
The stolen parts came from virtually every major American airline, and in some cases included forged air worthiness documents, said Andrew Duffin, special agent in charge of the FBI's South Florida office.
"The undercover operation prevented these suspect parts from finding their way onto other commercial aircraft before their true condition and their air worthiness could be determined," Duffin said.
The widespread dealing in stolen aircraft parts with forged air worthiness certificates might have eventually undermined the safety of commercial aircraft, Duffin said. But no incidents were uncovered in which stolen parts were linked to an emergency landing or critical mechanical failure, he said.
Among the parts purchased by undercover agents: A flight management computer stolen Aug. 5 from a Carnival Airline jet parked on a runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Within two weeks, the $175,000 computer surfaced in New York, where three South Florida men were offering to sell it to undercover FBI agents for $50,000.
The three men were named in a three-count indictment unsealed on Thursday.
Overall, the 23 suspects face charges including interstate transportation of, trafficking in, and receiving stolen property and destruction of aircraft.
The undercover sting, dubbed Operation Skycrook, began in November 1991 when agents set up shop as JJL Enterprises near Miami International Airport.
Within three days, the phone started ringing, said FBI Agent Jack Hexter. The agents said they were surprised at how large and active the illicit aircraft parts business is.
In some cases, aircraft parts were sold from one broker to another until eventually the part found its way back to the airline from which it was originally stolen, Duffin said.
by CNB