ADDITIONAL FAA PROPOSED PENALTIES
March 23, 2015
In addition to those mentioned above, the FAA has proposed the following penalties:
- $1.6 million against Alaska Airlines, Inc. (two penalties) for allegedly operating aircraft that were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The first penalty, for $900,000, involved the installation of systems to pulse external lights on 66 Boeing 737s without conducting proper ground and flight tests. The second, for $700,000, involved an improper repair to a cracked engine thrust lever that obstructed the pilot’s access to the aircraft’s take-off/go-around button.
- $147,375 against ExpressJet Airlines (two penalties) for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing and aircraft maintenance regulations. The first penalty, for $97,375, involved a failure by ExpressJet to conduct required drug tests and receive verified, negative results before hiring or transferring four people into safety-sensitive positions and failed to include one of these employees in its random drug and alcohol testing pool. The second, for $50,000, alleged that ExpressJet failed to ensure that an Embraer EMB-145 regional jet underwent required testing and measurement of the aircraft surface in connection with the repainting of the jet.
- $122,000 against Trans States Airlines, Inc. for allegedly operating an aircraft that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr (esahr@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6622) or Drew Derco (dderco@eckertseamans.com, 202-659-6665).