Airline Told The FAA There Was Nothing Wrong With The Plane

The pilot of an Allegiant Airlines flight from St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida airport to Maryland June 8 returned to the airport after a flight attendant reported smelling "smoke/fumes" similar to burning rubber shortly after takeoff. The pilot declared an emergency and landed back at the departure airport, the plane's emergency slides were deployed, and the 141 passengers were evacuated. Four were reportedly slightly injured during the evacuation.

Now, the pilot has been fired by the airline, according to the Airline Professionals Association Teamsters Local 1224. The Tampa Bay Times reports that union president Dan Wells said the pilot was fired because pilots had made an issue of airline safety during contract negotiations.

In a safety report to the FAA, Allegiant said that mechanics could find nothing wrong with the plane. The airline has accused its pilots of trying to create an impression among the flying public that Allegiant is taking shortcuts on maintenance as a way to gain leverage during the negotiations.

The pilot was not identified by the Union for confidentiality reasons. Requests for interviews through intermediaries have also been declined, according to the paper.

Two other planes made emergency landings at the same airport in June and July.

Wells said the pilot did not rely only on the word of the flight attendant before turning the flight around. "He confirmed it with multiple people," Wells said. "There is only one thing you can do in that case, which is exactly what he did ... evacuate the airplane."

FMI: www.apa1224.org, www.allegiantair.com