Fines Imposed Over Problems Alleged In Drug and Alcohol Testing

The FAA is proposing a civil penalty of $262,000 against Ameriflight, LLC, of Burbank, Calif., for allegedly violating Department of Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing programs and provisions of the company's FAA-approved Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Prevention Program.

The FAA alleges Ameriflight conducted the Department of Transportation's required pre-employment drug tests, but did not wait to receive verified negative drug test results before hiring 14 people to perform safety-sensitive flight crew or maintenance duties. Ameriflight allegedly used the individuals to perform the safety-sensitive duties, again before receiving verified negative drug test results. The alleged violations of federal regulations occurred between March 2009 and March 2010.

The FAA also alleges Ameriflight failed to administer periodic alcohol tests to 11 randomly-selected individuals, as required by Department of Transportation regulations and Ameriflight's random testing program.

Ameriflight has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

FMI: www.faa.gov