FAA Proposes $572,150 in Civil Penalties Against Atlas Air, Inc.

NEW YORK — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to assess $572,150 in civil penalties against Atlas Air, Inc., of Purchase, NY, a scheduled air cargo airline, for alleged violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

The FAA alleges that Atlas Air incorrectly installed a replacement cockpit window on a Boeing 747F, and then operated the aircraft on 49 flights between April 4 and April 27, 2009, when it was not in compliance with those regulations.

The FAA said Atlas Air replaced one of the windows at the first officer’s position, but failed to use the methods, techniques and practices specified in the manufacturer’s maintenance manual or alternate procedures accepted by the FAA for the B-747F. The airline then approved the aircraft for return to service. As a result, the replacement window suffered pressurization leaks while in flight according to multiple reports made by crews operating or maintaining the aircraft. The FAA has proposed a penalty of $506,150 for those violations.

In a second instance, the FAA alleges that on May 14 and 15, 2009, Atlas Air operated a Boeing 747 on international flights from Huntsville, AL, to Glasgow, Scotland, Luxembourg City and back to Huntsville without a required outboard engine pylon access panel door. The FAA said Atlas Air improperly fabricated a panel cover from aluminum sheet metal and affixed it with speed tape over the access door opening. On each of these flights, the panel came off the aircraft enroute and a new panel was fabricated and installed in the same manner at each subsequent stop. The FAA has proposed a civil penalty of $66,000 for those violations.

Atlas Air has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letters to respond to the agency.

To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.

Similar Posts

  • Airbus Official Afriqiyah Press Release

    Airbus regrets to confirm that an Airbus A330-200 operated by Afriqiyah Airways was involved in an accident in Tripoli, Libya at 04:00 GMT, Wednesday 12th May. The aircraft was operating a scheduled service, Flight 8U771 from Johannesburg, South Africa to Tripoli, Libya.

    The aircraft involved in the accident, registered as 5A-ONG, was MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number) 1024, delivered from the production line in September 2009. The aircraft had accumulated approximately 1600 flight hours in some 420 flights. It was powered by General Electric CF6-80E1 engines. At this time no further factual information is available.
    Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft crashed short of the runway threshold during approach. According to available information there were 93 passengers and 11 crew on board.

    In line with ICAO Annex 13 international convention Airbus is dispatching a team of technical advisors to support the investigation authorities and the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) as accredited representative.

    The Airbus A330-200 is a widebody, twin-engine aircraft, which typically carries 253 passengers in a three-class, twin-aisle cabin on medium to long range routes of up to 7,250 nautical miles (13,400km). The A330-200 was first delivered in April 1998.

    The concerns and sympathy of the Airbus employees go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Press Release: New agreements between Canada and Switzerland

    Air Transportation Agreement

    One of Canada’s top-20 international air travel markets, Switzerland is an important aviation partner for Canada. In this context, Canada and Switzerland have successfully concluded negotiations toward an Open Skies-type air transportation agreement, which modernizes the 1975 agreement (last amended in 2002) to better reflect today’s market realities.

    The agreement now contains expanded operating rights for airlines from Canada and Switzerland to operate air transportation between each other’s territory and third countries, in conjunction with scheduled passenger and/or all-cargo air services between the two countries. It also enables airlines to adjust their prices with greater flexibility to meet current market conditions.

    Overall, the agreement provides more flexibility for airlines and airports to consider commercial opportunities, facilitates greater economic activity, strengthens ties with Switzerland and ultimately benefits passengers and shippers by allowing more flight options and routings (routes?).

    Protocol Amending the Canada-Switzerland Double Taxation Convention

    The double taxation convention currently in force between Canada and Switzerland was signed on May 5, 1997.

    New Protocol provisions related to the elimination of double taxation, such as exemption from the withholding of tax on dividends paid to pension plans and interest payments between unrelated parties, are expected to further strengthen trade and economic links between the two countries.

    The Protocol also implements the latest internationally agreed standard for the exchange of tax information, as developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in order to enable Canadian tax authorities to obtain information relevant for the enforcement and administration of Canadian taxation laws and to assist them in preventing international tax evasion. This supports Canada’s commitment as a G-20 member to promote the effective exchange of tax information and to protect its public finances and financial systems.

    The Protocol will enter into force once both countries have completed their respective domestic implementation procedures and will apply, generally, for taxation years that begin on or after January 1 of the year following the Protocol’s entry into force.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • | |

    United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Weather Forecast for Texas

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM

    CHICAGO, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for Texas. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the delay or cancellation of certain flights at Continental’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston hub for travel from Feb. 2 through Feb. 4. Other cities throughout Texas may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent. Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Press Release – Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers Share Safety Data

    For Immediate Release
    September 22, 2010

    WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a safety program that for the first time will integrate voluntary safety information self-reported by pilots and air traffic controllers. This data-sharing program will give the FAA a more complete picture of the national airspace system by collecting, assessing and reviewing safety events from the perspective of both pilots and air traffic controllers.

    United Airlines and its pilots have the first agreement in place to participate in a demonstration program. The FAA expects to sign similar agreements with other carriers in the future.

    “Safety is our number-one priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Having pilots and controllers provide information abut potential air safety problems will help us correct them before they become accidents.”

    “This revolutionary program will give us an incredible amount of data that will help us find problems, make corrections and avoid incidents,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “I applaud air traffic controllers, pilots and airlines for their dedication to keeping our aviation system as safe as possible.”

    For the first time, information from the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and the Air Traffic Safety Action Program (ATSAP) will be merged, so input from both pilots and controllers can help guide safety decisions. The program will develop processes and policies to share and analyze relevant safety information in a non-punitive way, consistent with the basic principles of Safety Management Systems. These systems are widely used within the FAA and the aviation industry.

    ASAP encourages aviation employees to voluntarily report safety information that may help identify potential precursors to accidents. The ASAP process resolves safety issues through corrective action rather than through punishment or discipline. Each program is based on a safety partnership that includes the FAA and the aviation operator, and usually includes a third party, such as the reporting employee’s labor organization. In today’s agreement, the airline’s labor organization is the United chapter of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). Today, 73 air carriers have 169 ASAP programs for pilots, mechanics, flight attendants, and dispatchers.

    ATSAP is an agreement between the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) that is designed to foster a voluntary, cooperative, non-punitive environment for FAA air traffic employees to openly report safety concerns As a result of ATSAP, all parties have access to valuable safety information that otherwise might never have been discovered or reported. The FAA analyzes the information to develop skill enhancements or system corrective actions that will help solve safety problems.

    Voluntary reporting programs have significantly contributed to the nation’s impressive aviation safety record, including improvements to training and enhanced operations and maintenance procedures.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    Boeing Plans New Manufacturing Facility at Illinois’ MidAmerica Airport

    MASCOUTAH, Ill., Aug. 19, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] announced today that it is expanding its St. Louis-area operations with the planned opening of a new manufacturing facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah.
    The facility, tentatively scheduled to open in late 2010 or early 2011, will use leased space in an existing building to house assembly and subassembly work. It is expected to initially bring approximately 75 new manufacturing jobs to Illinois.
    Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg addressed U.S., state and local officials, Boeing employees, and the media at a ceremony today in Mascoutah.
    “This facility’s proximity to BDS headquarters, the presence of an established, skilled work force, and the infrastructure at MidAmerica Airport make it an ideal choice as Boeing looks for opportunities to expand our core business and ensure our St. Louis site remains competitive as we meet the high-value, low-cost needs of our customers,” said Muilenburg.
    Muilenburg was joined by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill.), U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern at the official announcement.
    “I’m happy to support Boeing’s investment in America’s work force and the State of Illinois. In this economy, every single job counts, and Boeing’s facility will bring skilled manufacturing jobs that pay wages capable of supporting families,” said Durbin. “It’s exactly the kind of investment in Illinois we need to spur our nation’s economic recovery.”
    “Today marks the beginning of what I expect will be a long-term relationship with Boeing, and I expect we will be back here to announce more good news and more jobs in the future,” said Costello.
    “This is the best news Southwestern Illinois has received in some time. We have had a great relationship with Boeing through the years and look forward to welcoming our new neighbors,” said Shimkus.
    Boeing and St. Clair County are entering into a long-term lease for the existing 50,000-square-foot facility, which is the first Boeing manufacturing center in Illinois.
    “We are ecstatic that Boeing has chosen MidAmerica Airport for this expansion. Their presence here brings a much-needed boost to the entire local economy,” said Kern.
    Home to BDS headquarters, the Boeing St. Louis site employs approximately 16,000 employees and is Missouri’s largest manufacturer and second-largest employer. Key products manufactured at the site include F/A-18s, F-15s, C-17s and weapons.
    A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.
  • |

    IATA Press Release: Opportunity for a Global Framework on Environment – IATA Urges Agreement at ICAO Assembly

    Montreal – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged the governments of the world to reach an agreement on a global framework to manage international aviation’s emissions at the 37th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

    “The biggest challenge for this Assembly is to reach an agreement on a global solution to manage emissions from international aviation. A united aviation industry of airlines, airports, air navigation service providers, manufacturers and general aviation has made ambitious commitments to cap and eventually cut its emissions. To be successful, governments must endorse these commitments in a globally agreed framework,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO, to a group of delegates attending the ICAO Assembly in Montreal.

    The aviation industry is united behind three targets: (1) a 1.5% average annual improvement in fuel efficiency to 2020, (2) capping net emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth and (3) cutting emission in half by 2050 compared to 2005. “No other industrial sector has made such ambitious global commitments. Even UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon commended the aviation industry as a role model for other industries to follow,” said Bisignani.

    Bisignani highlighted several key elements which could help facilitate global consensus:

    • Place and Process: The Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Christiana Figueres, confirmed that ICAO is the forum for dealing with emissions from international aviation and that any agreement at ICAO would not, in any way, impact the position of any state on non-aviation issues discussed in the UNFCCC process.
    • Developing Nations: Even within a global agreement, ICAO has a track record of accommodating the needs of developing states. For example, ICAO’s global framework for noise reduction included extended timelines for developing states.
    • Growth: The industry’s global solution will facilitate growth and the economic benefits it brings even while reducing emissions. This will be achieved through the industry’s four- pillar strategy of investments in technology, more efficient infrastructure, more effective operations and globally coordinated positive economic measures.

    “Major blockers are being removed. The industry is ready. And most governments agree that a global framework is needed. There are still some hurdles to overcome, but we are moving in the right direction,” said Bisignani who noted that important regional groupings and individual states have indicated their wish for an agreement.

    The planned inclusion of aviation into the European emissions trading scheme in 2012 has helped to focus governments on the urgency of a global solution. “If this Assembly ends without an agreement, the next opportunity is 2013. In the meantime the industry would be faced with a growing patchwork of conflicting and overlapping measures. For example, against global opposition, Europe would have to try to move forward with its unilateral emissions trading scheme,” said Bisignani.

    “No government or industry player will want to face the consequences of such a development. It would lead to a breakdown of the global standards on which global aviation was built, a patchwork of uncoordinated taxes and schemes, strained bilateral relations and serious challenges on sovereignty issues,” said Bisignani.

    “The livelihoods of 32 million people and $3.5 trillion in economic activity depend on the success of global aviation. As leaders, everyone attending this Assembly has a great responsibility to continue building a safe, secure, efficient and sustainable future for this wonderful industry. The industry is committed to supporting governments in reaching agreement on a responsible solution for aviation and the environment. I am optimistic that we will be successful,” said Bisignani.

    The ICAO Assembly will discuss environmental issues in its Executive Committee on Thursday 30 September with conclusions to be reported by the Assembly’s conclusion on 8 October.

    To include the featured image in your Twitter Card, please tap or click their icon a second time.