Inspector General Is Looking Into Safety Issues With The Airline

Citing lax safety enforcement on the part of three senior managers in the office overseeing Southwest Airlines, the FAA has removed those managers from their positions and reassigned them to other duties.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the reassigned employees are office manager Carroll Herbert and two of his direct reports responsible for operations and maintenance. The FAA said it would not comment on personnel matters, but that the move was tied to ongoing internal disputes concerning various whistleblower complaints.

The DOT Inspector General is conducting an investigation into safety allegations against Southwest for several months, according to the report. Sources who requested anonymity told the paper that the allegations include irregularities in maintenance documentation for more than 100 Southwest jets. The IG is also looking at the possibility of incorrect weight and balance calculations and at least two landing incidents. The U.S. Congress is also reportedly looking into issues with the airline.

A Southwest spokeswoman told the paper that it is cooperating fully with the investigations. She said the airline is "fully confident" in its maintenance procedures and the airworthiness of its aircraft.

The IG is expected to issue a comprehensive report of the FAA's oversight of Southwest early in 2020, according to the report.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report