Airline Investigating Claims Planes Flew Out Of Envelope

The Federal Aviation Administration has determined regional airline American Eagle flew its planes in violation of federal weight and balance guidelines at least 19 times in the past five months, according to an ABC News report.

Citing 'sources in the aviation industry,' ABC states the FAA's investigation began after the airline self-reported two incidents in which planes may have taken off outside of the accepted weight and balance envelope. No incidents occurred due to the apparent violations, though everyone agrees it's a very serious matter.

"When you talk about the performance for weight and balance it is critical, it will get you killed, which is why it's so strictly controlled," said Jack Eppard of the Air Line Pilots Association.

A concern on all aircraft -- as private pilots can attest to -- weight and balance is particularly important on smaller regional aircraft, which due to their size are more sensitive to improper loading than larger airliners. Overloading and an out-of-range aft CG were cited as contributing factors to the January 2003 downing on takeoff of an US Airways Express/Air Midwest Beechcraft 1900D in Charlotte, NC, that killed all 21 persons onboard and injured one person on the ground.

American Eagle admits it is investigating "several cases" where planes may have flown in violation of weight and balance guidelines. Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said the faults were due to discrepancies between manual baggage loading lists, and the computer program used to calculate weight and balance restrictions on the planes.

When asked whether those problems could pose a safety issue, Huguely disconcertingly replied "I don't know"... before adding the airline's planes have redundant safety systems in place, "and we feel as though we always fly safe planes."

Sources within the FAA tell ABC the agency is now determining whether to impose any fines or penalties on American Eagle... though an agency spokesman had no official comment.

"We don't comment on ongoing investigations which may or may not result in enforcement actions. When enforcement actions are taken, that information is available to the public," said spokesman Roland Herwig.

This isn't the first time this year the American Airlines regional subsidiary has been at odds with a federal agency. As ANN reported, in August a TSA inspector reported he was able to gain access to seven of nine parked American Eagle planes on the ground at O'Hare International... by grabbing the fragile air temperature probes on the outside of the fuselages to pull himself up to unlocked doors.

The airline delayed 40 flights to check for damage, after its own employees observed the inspector, and warned maintenance officials. The TSA later retaliated against the airline, stating it "consistently found problems" with American Eagle at ORD and that it planned to impose fines.

FMI: www.aa.com, www.faa.gov