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Mechanic Claims He Was Fired Improperly

Says He Refused To Release An Aircraft With Safety Issues

An aircraft mechanic working for Pro Pilots LLC at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey says he was fired after he refused to return an airplane with as many as eight "discrepancies" to flight status.

Dennis Portalatin said in court documents that he noted the issues, including a leak in a wing and the fuselage,  on the Dassault Falcon 20 jet, and would not sign off on the airplane.

But maintenance director allegedly said "Let it go. We'll get it fixed somewhere else. We have seven passengers to take," according to court documents.

The New York Post reports that Portalatin told his boss that he would "not sign off on a fuel leak."

He was fired from the $90,000 per year job a week later, according to the report. 

It is not known if Portalatin reported the incident to the FAA. Pro Pilots said that it follows FAA regulations, and addresses all safety issues, but would not comment on the specific allegations.

(Image from file. Not incident airplane)

FMI: www.faa.gov

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