Investigations

On December 12, 2019, Elvin M. Ortiz Landron (Ortiz) was charged in U.S. District Court, Puerto Rico, with aircraft parts fraud. Ortiz was the owner/mechanic of Arlet Aviation, LLC, Ceiba, Puerto Rico, a former FAA-approved repair facility.

 

The indictment alleges that from around February 2017 until about July 2018, Ortiz made materially false statements concerning the inspection of commercial aircraft parts. Specifically, he allegedly completed multiple FAA Authorized Release Certificates, stating that Arlet had performed overhauls of Hartzell and McCauley airplane propellers in accordance with Federal regulations and the applicable maintenance manuals. Companies that overhaul these propellers must complete nondestructive inspection processes. Ortiz did not perform these mandatory inspections but certified he had done so in accordance with the manufacturers’ manuals.

 

Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.