Associated Press | Federal regulators are proposing more maintenance-related penalties against American Airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it would fine American $787,500 for three cases of alleged maintenance problems.
In the most serious case, regulators say American operated a plane
without replacing a central air data computer on the jet. The
McDonnell-Douglas jet has two such computers, which tell pilots the
speed and altitude of the plane.
In April 2008, pilots landing in Los Angeles noticed warning indicators going off, and mechanics traced the problem to the computer, according to an FAA document. Instead of fixing the computer as required by federal rules, the mechanics wrote up the incident as a problem with the auto throttle and the plane flew 10 flights with a broken computer, the FAA said.
Another case involves inadequate inspections of rudder components on some Boeing 757 jets. In the third incident, the FAA said mechanics sent a plane back into service before final steps of a thorough maintenance review were checked off as completed.
American has 30 days to respond to the FAA.
Airline spokesman Tim Smith said American was reviewing the FAA charges and will meet with regulators to discuss the proposed penalties.
“American Airlines is very proud of our safety record and our employees’ commitment to safety every day,” Smith said.
The fine proposed Friday is the latest in a series of penalties American faces for maintenance violations.
According to people familiar with the situation, the FAA is close to proposing a multimillion penalty against American for failing to properly secure wiring in its large fleet of MD-80 series aircraft.
In 2008, the FAA ordered American to pay a $7.1 million fine for a variety of violations, including making 58 flights with two jets that had problems with their autopilot systems. Regulators and airline officials are still discussing that case.
This year, the FAA proposed two separate penalties totaling $5.4 million against American’s regional carrier, American Eagle. In one case, regulators said mechanics didn’t follow government standards on repairing landing gear doors. In the other, they said Eagle didn’t make sure crews had accurate information about baggage loads and a few planes were too heavy for safe takeoff.
American has characterized many of the FAA’s charges as paperwork and not related to safety. The airline also claims it is the only U.S. carrier that does all of its own major maintenance work while others have outsourced jobs.
More of the same story, dredged up again for headline purposes. One of the best, if not THE best, maintenance records in the industry is being tarnished by a few problems.
I wonder why so many problems relating to safety regulation appear when the unions are facing contract negotiations? I thought that the pilots had the authority to say no. If the airplane was not airworthy, it is their call.
American is probably the most over-rated domestic airline, in my opinion. I have faced more flight delays on this airline due to maintenance troubles compared to others over the years. Several years ago, I was on an American flight that wheeled out on the taxi way in Dallas, only to sit there for two hours with the ventilation turned down while we sweltered in 95 degree heat–waiting for some sort of a part they needed in the cockpit. Then they wheeled us back to a gate and we sat there for another hour while we waited for a mechanic to come fix the problem. Why did they allow this plane to taxi off in the first place?
It is not surprising to me that their maintenance standards have slipped and I’m their equipment is relatively old compared to other airlines. Why people continue to favor this airline is beyond me.
Note: I am not affiliated or associated with any employees or unions of this airline. I have flown on several carriers the past few years, and I would rate Southwest best for on-time flights and despite what some people say is a “cattle call” seating program, I find it refreshing that even up to the day before I book a flight with Southwest, I stand a good chance of getting an aisle or window seat on a large tube plane (737). With American, I stand a good chance of being on a small tube plane (American Eagle) and often get a seat I don’t want, even when I book well in advance. Delta has many newer planes, and though not my favorite, I feel more comfortable with them than with American. United is about as bad as American these days. Really, how is American a great airline? Wake up, people!