FAA Proposes $5.4 Million Civil Penalty For US Airways, $3.8 Million For United

Wed, 14 Oct '09

Says Airlines Flew Hundreds Of Flights With Aircraft Not In Compliance With AD's, Maintenance Procedures

The FAA has proposed a $5.4 million civil penalty against US Airways, Inc. for allegedly operating eight aircraft on a total of 1,647 flights from October 2008 to January 2009 while not in compliance with certain Airworthiness Directives (ADs) or the airline's maintenance program. ADs are rules issued by the FAA when an unsafe condition exists on a type of aircraft, and additional maintenance is required to remedy the problem.

Each year the FAA issues about 250 ADs requiring air carriers to correct potentially unsafe conditions. Compliance deadlines range from immediate action before further flight, to days, months, or years depending on the severity and complexity of the safety issue. Air carriers must fully comply with all of these legally enforceable directives.

The FAA found the following AD non-compliance issues: