Non-Av Press Asks If Outsourced Maintenance Is 'An Accident Waiting To Happen' | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-04.14.25

Airborne-NextGen-04.15.25

AirborneUnlimited-04.16.25

Airborne-AffordableFliers-04.17.25

SunnFun-DayFour-04.03.25

Wed, Feb 07, 2007

Non-Av Press Asks If Outsourced Maintenance Is 'An Accident Waiting To Happen'

AMFA Says Growing Trend Raises Air Safety and Security Concerns

Sources at the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) tell ANN the March 2007 issue of Consumer Reports magazine -- perhaps best known for its comparisons and reviews of products ranging from toasters, to SUVs -- includes a feature article titled, "An Accident Waiting To Happen? Outsourcing Raises Air-Safety Concerns."

In the article, House Transportation Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN) states outsourced aircraft maintenance -- in which airlines chose third party contractors, many of which are overseas, to handle repairs and upkeep on its planes -- is "not being done with the same oversight" as maintenance performed by airline employees.

"It's a recipe for failure," Oberstar concludes.

In its report, Consumer Reports reaches several findings that mirror AMFA's position on outsourced maintenance... including the determination that "[a]irlines that outsource more tend to have more delays," and "much of the work is being done by unlicensed mechanics."

The non-profit consumer research magazine also claims "arrests at some repair shops have snared terrorism suspects and undocumented workers [i.e., illegal aliens], who were subsequently deported." AMFA also notes outsourced maintenance shops "are less subject to oversight than in-house [the airlines' own] shops, with fewer screening programs and fewer inspections ... At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration [FAA] is reducing actual inspections of airlines."

"Consumer Reports' research findings strongly match what we've been warning the public and government officials about for a number of years," according to Steve MacFarlane, assistant national director of AMFA. "It's gratifying to see such credible outside sources as Consumer Reports and Rep. Oberstar validating these important concerns."

AMFA notes a US Department of Transportation report stated "the FAA never inspected approximately 1,400 noncertificated repair facilities, including 104 foreign facilities."

FMI: www.amfanatl.org

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Prelim: PPHU Ekolot KR-030 Topaz

Pilot Stated That He Did Not Recall Any Aspects Of The Accident Sequence On April 8, 2025, about 1308 central daylight time, a PPHU Ekolot KR-030 Topaz light sport airplane, N568RD>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.20.25): Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) An ultra-high frequency electronic rho-theta air navigation aid which provides suitably equipped aircraft a continuous indication of bearing and dis>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.20.25)

Aero Linx: Flying Wings of Louisiana Rusty Lavergne is the founder of Flying Wings of Louisiana along with his wife and co-founder, Kelly Lavergne. Rusty is a former Army Blackhawk>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.20.25)

“Despite this development, we strongly encourage WestJet management to work with ALPA pilot representatives to find more practical solutions for attracting and retaining skil>[...]

Airborne 04.21.25: Charter Bust, VeriJet Woes, Visual Approach Risks

Also: Sun Country CEO to Spirit, Indian AF Rafale Jets, Archer-United, Avflight Grows Federal prosecutors recently filed a lawsuit against an uncertified charter flight company and>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC