Thu, May 06, 2010
Administration Alleges Improper Window Replacements On
B747's
The FAA has proposed to assess $572,150 in civil penalties
against Atlas Air of Purchase, NY, a scheduled air cargo airline,
for alleged FAR violations.
The administration alleges that Atlas Air incorrectly installed
a replacement cockpit window on a Boeing 747F, and then operated
the aircraft on 49 flights between April 4 and April 27, 2009, when
it was not in compliance with those regulations.
The FAA said Atlas Air replaced one of the windows at the first
officer's position, but failed to use the methods, techniques and
practices specified in the manufacturer's maintenance manual or
alternate procedures accepted by the FAA for the B-747F. The
airline then approved the aircraft for return to service. As a
result, the replacement window suffered pressurization leaks while
in flight according to multiple reports made by crews operating or
maintaining the aircraft. The FAA has proposed a penalty of
$506,150 for those violations.
In a second instance, the FAA alleges that on May 14 and 15,
2009, Atlas Air operated a Boeing 747 on international flights from
Huntsville, AL, to Glasgow, Scotland, Luxembourg City and back to
Huntsville without a required outboard engine pylon access panel
door. The FAA said Atlas Air improperly fabricated a panel cover
from aluminum sheet metal and affixed it with speed tape over the
access door opening. On each of these flights, the panel came off
the aircraft enroute and a new panel was fabricated and installed
in the same manner at each subsequent stop. The FAA has proposed a
civil penalty of $66,000 for those violations.
Atlas Air has 30 days from receipt of the FAA's enforcement
letters to respond to the agency.
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