Cites Use Of Unsafe Jump Aircraft, Improper Maintenance
The FAA has proposed fines against two unrelated aviation
companies for alleged aircraft safety violations.
A $664,000 civil penalty has been proposed against William C.
Dause, doing business as The Parachute Center of Acampo, CA, for
allegedly failing to perform required aircraft parts replacements
and failing to comply with safety directives.
"Putting parachutists at risk by neglecting to follow safety
procedures is unacceptable," said U.S. Transportation Secretary
LaHood. "We expect aircraft operators to comply with our safety
rules and will take enforcement action when they do not."
Secretary LaHood
The FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated a DeHavilland
DHC-6 Twin Otter when critical parts were well past their life
limits and without inspecting portions of the wings for corrosion.
In all, the FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated the
aircraft on approximately 2,121 flights between March 21, 2008 and
November 4, 2009 with elevator control cables that were overdue for
replacement and when the plane was not in compliance with
Airworthiness Directives requiring visual inspections of the wing
main spar, lower spar cap extensions and wing support strut for
possible corrosion. The FAA also alleges that the company operated
the aircraft on at least 500 flights between April 16, 2009 and
November 4, 2009 with aileron control cables that were overdue for
replacement.
Twin Otter File Photo
In a separate matter, the agency has also proposed a $455,175
civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, MT, for allegedly
operating a Beech 1900C airliner when it was not in compliance with
Federal Aviation Regulations.
We expect airlines to comply with these rules and will take
enforcement action when they do not," said Secretary LaHood.
The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft
under the company's general maintenance manual, which includes the
Pratt & Whitney Canada maintenance manual for the aircraft's
turboprop engines. Specifically, the FAA alleges that Corporate Air
operated the aircraft on at least 80 flights in spite of continued
evidence of excessive oil consumption by the right engine. The
FAA-approved aircraft and engine manuals call for post-flight
inspection and repair of an engine experiencing excessive oil
consumption. Corporate Air did not correct the oil consumption
problem despite repeated inspections in which oil had to be
added.
Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part
135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt
"Passengers and crew have to be able to trust that an operator
has done the right thing and has complied with all the rules," said
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "Safety and compliance are the
right choices, every time."
Both the Parachute Center and Corporate Air have 30 days from
the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the
agency.