Uncovered Problems During 2005 Mechanics Strike

Mark Lund, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector and Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) member who uncovered serious safety issues during the August 2005 aircraft mechanics strike at Northwest Airlines, was honored this week by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).

PASS tells ANN Lund was at the forefront of exposing safety concerns during a 2005 mechanics strike at Northwest Airlines. After his findings fell on deaf ears at the FAA -- and, the union says, the agency "became more interested with discrediting him as an inspector" --  Lund enlisted the aid of former Sen. Mark Dayton, who helped to engage the Inspector General (IG) to conduct an independent review of Lund’s concerns and possible mistreatment by the FAA.

In October 2007, the IG validated Lund’s concerns and admonished the FAA for its treatment of him during this time. The IG report concluded that the FAA needed improved internal procedures to ensure that “comprehensive, independent investigations of safety allegations and recommendations are consistently performed.”

PASS -- which represents more than 11,000 FAA employees, including aviation safety inspectors -- congratulated Lund on his dedication to safety, and said it appreciates ACFE’s recognition of him.

"We commend Mark Lund for his continued efforts in bringing forth serious safety concerns and on his commitment to the safety of the flying public," said PASS President Tom Brantley. "FAA aviation safety inspectors take their oversight role to ensure public safety very seriously and they should never be quieted when it comes to bringing forward safety issues involving airlines. The flying public is well served by aviation safety inspectors such as Mark Lund, who believe their ultimate responsibility is to the flying public."

At a time when news of too-friendly relationships between FAA inspectors and airlines continue to make headlines, PASS says Lund's story is particulatly apt.

"If there is a lesson to be learned over the last few years, it is that the attitude of the FAA must change to one that puts the flying public’s safety above an airline’s solvency," said Brantley.

"The bottom line is that aviation safety inspectors should not have to risk their jobs to have the FAA take them and their safety concerns seriously," said PASS Vice President of Flight Standards and Aviation Safety Inspector Linda Goodrich. "It is our belief that the actions of trailblazers such as Mark Lund will enable other aviation safety inspectors to come forward without having to face such adversity from the FAA in the future."

FMI: www.passnational.org, www.acfe.com/