FAA Says Discrepancies Found During Inspection

A Boeing 737 that has been parked at Alabama's Montgomery Regional Airport for two months has been grounded by the FAA, after an inspection found minor safety issues with the aircraft.

FAA inspectors said they found a loose turnbuckle, low tire pressure, and an access panel door that was not closed properly ... enough for them to ground the plane until the issues were resolved.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports that the plane's owners, CSI Holdings, say the issues have been resolved and they have filed paperwork to have the grounding lifted by the FAA. In the meantime, the airport has invoiced CSI $200 per day for a months worth of storage on the aircraft.

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said the plane was flown to Montgomery on a ferry permit, which allows it to be taken to a location where repairs can be made. It was originally scheduled to be flown from Brunswick, Georgia to Kingman, Arizona, but the pilot landed in Montgomery when he saw a warning light in the cockpit.

File Photo

CSI Holdings owner Ron Mays says the storage charges are unfounded, and that the airport was made aware that the aircraft would be at the airport for some time. Airport executive director Phil Perry said he had not had any communication with Mays about the aircraft prior to its arrival in Montgomery.

FMI: http://iflymontgomery.com/us/en/index.php