2/18/2010
NEWS BRIEFS
FAA Hits American Eagle with $2.9m Fine Over Possible Missing Landing Gear Fasteners

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a $2.9 million penalty to the sister carrier of American Airlines, saying that American Eagle operated at least 1,178 flights with four jets that had main landing gear doors that may have functioned with loose or missing fasteners in violation of federal safety standards, the Associated Press reports.

“The airline disputed the penalty, which hinged on whether landing gear doors were removed from the Bombardier planes before being fixed,” AP reports.

The flights took place between February and May of 2008.

The latest penalty comes two weeks after the FAA proposed a $2.5 million fine against American Eagle for supplying crews with inaccurate information about baggage weight on numerous flights. Some of the planes were too heavy and should not have taken off, the FAA said.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said following federal safety orders “is not optional.”

American Eagle spokeswoman Andrea Huguely expressed disappointment in the fines.

“Eagle conducted the inspections as called for in the (safety order) and made repairs when the inspection indicated a repair was required,” Huguely stated.
“We do not believe that this case involved a safety-of-flight issue, or that a civil penalty is warranted.”

The FAA said a 2006 safety order required operators of some Bombardier jets to inspect landing gear doors for cracks and loose or missing fasteners, then remove the doors for repairs or replacement, according to AP.

The FAA has proposed several hefty fines in the past two years. Last year, Southwest agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle one case. American could soon face a penalty of about $10 million for violations involving faulty wiring fastening in its fleet of MD-80 aircraft. ©2010 GlobalFastenerNews.com

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