Fines Sought Range From $66,000 To Just Over $133,000
The FAA is proposing civil penalties ranging from $66,000 to
$133,950 against eight companies for alleged violations of FAA
regulations. They include the following:
Apollo Aviation of Fruitland Park, FL: $77,300 for
allegedly operating a Cessna 172 on nine flights between July 21
and 24, 2010, when it was not in compliance with FAA regulations.
The aircraft crashed near Waynesboro, VA, on July 24. The pilot was
not injured. The FAA alleges Apollo failed to accomplish the
required tests and inspections of the altimeter, static system and
transponder in the aircraft within the 24 months leading up to the
accident.
JetSmart, Inc., of Rochester, NY: $133,950 for allegedly
operating a Hawker Beechcraft 125-800 business jet aircraft on 63
flights between Oct. 3, 2009 and Dec. 15, 2009, when it was not in
compliance with FAA regulations. The FAA alleges JetSmart failed to
inspect handheld fire extinguishers every 30 days, as required
under the company’s approved inspection program. The aircraft
also made two additional flights on Dec. 10 and Dec. 15, 2009, when
the passenger public address system was inoperative, but the
company failed to post the required placard in the airplane
confirming that fact.
26 North Aviation, Inc. of Allentown, PA: $81,000 for
allegedly failing to inspect overwing emergency exits after opening
them as part of crew evacuation training on several of its
aircraft. The company’s FAA-approved general maintenance
manual mandates the inspections that must be completed and
documented before the aircraft can be returned to service. The
alleged violations occurred at multiple points beginning on June 2,
2009 and continued through Feb. 17, 2010.
Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc., of Boise, ID: $77,000 for
allegedly installing a night vision system on a helicopter used for
emergency medical services when it was not authorized to perform
that modification. The FAA further alleges that Aviation
Specialties failed to perform the modification correctly and used
unacceptable technical data to guide the work. The alleged
violation occurred Nov. 24, 2009.
Liberty Jet Management Corporation of Oyster Bay, NY:
$75,000 for allegedly using a pilot who had failed his most recent
checkride as second-in-command on approximately 25 charter flights.
FAA regulations require all crewmembers to have passed checkrides
(or other appropriate evaluations) before they may fly as required
crew. The flights operated between Aug. 4 and Nov. 11, 2010.
American Eagle Airlines of Fort Worth, TX: $77,500 for
alleged violations of the company’s operations specification
for its ground de-icing/anti-icing program. The FAA alleges
American Eagle’s line maintenance contractor at Richmond, VA,
used uncalibrated tools to test the anti-freeze used for de-icing
aircraft, and that the tools were not specified for use by the
airline’s FAA-approved general maintenance manual and its
ground deicing program. Under FAA regulations, a carrier is
responsible for overseeing a contractor’s maintenance. FAA
inspectors discovered the problem and said the violations took
place between Feb. 13 and March 9, 2010.
Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) of Atlanta, GA $132,000
for allegedly operating a Bombardier CRJ regional jet on 22
passenger-carrying flights between May 14 and May 18, 2010, while
it was not in compliance with FAA regulations. The FAA alleges that
ASA performed maintenance on the aircraft on May 13, 2010, but did
not execute a maintenance release or appropriate aircraft logbook
entry releasing the aircraft for service.
Jet Aircraft Maintenance of Miami, FL: $66,000 for
allegedly failing to perform tire changes properly on various
United Airlines A320 airliners. The alleged violations occurred
between Nov. 24 and Dec. 2, 2010 at Washington’s Reagan
National Airport. Jet Aircraft Maintenance performs line
maintenance for United at the airport. The FAA specifically alleges
the company did not use the proper tools and specified lubricants
during the tire changes.
The companies have 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s
enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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