Both Allegedly Violated FARs Relating To Maintenance

The FAA has proposed fines against two U.S. carriers related to alleged violations of maintenance procedures.

The agency is proposing a $325,000 civil penalty against Dallas-based Southwest Airlines for allegedly operating an aircraft that had been improperly modified. On Aug. 29, 2011, maintenance personnel improperly installed a switch that enables flight crews to test the windshield heating system on a Boeing 717 that AirTran Airways Inc. was operating. Southwest is in the process of merging with AirTran.

Proper installation of the switch would have allowed personnel to isolate the windshield anti-ice system that was causing a warning that the windshield heater was failing.  Instead, the center and left windshield warning systems were reversed. The right windshield warning system continued to operate properly. The aircraft was operated on 1,140 passenger flights before the problem was corrected.

A $304,000 civil penalty has been proposed against Great Lakes Aviation of Cheyenne, WY., for allegedly conducting 19 flights with aircraft that were not in compliance with FARs.

Great Lakes operated the aircraft in conditions in which the carrier could reasonably expect frost, snow or ice to adhere to the planes, the FAA alleges.  The FAA maintains that Great Lakes flew Beech 1900 aircraft out of Hays, KS, in January 2011 with deicing fluid that exceeded the maximum temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The Great Lakes deicing manual states that fluid heated to more than 180 degrees could damage the aircraft or the deicer.

Both airlines have 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

FMI: www.faa.gov