Similar Posts
Press Release – FAA Proposes Civil Penalty Against American Airlines
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $24.2 million civil penalty against American Airlines Inc. for failing to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the maintenance of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. This civil penalty is the largest ever proposed by the FAA.
“We put rules and regulations in place to keep the flying public safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect operators to perform inspections and conduct regular and required maintenance in order to prevent safety issues. There can be no compromises when it comes to safety.”
The FAA alleges American did not follow steps outlined in a 2006 Airworthiness Directive requiring operators to inspect wire bundles located in the wheel wells of MD-80 aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive, AD 2006-15-15, required a one-time general visual inspection by March 5, 2008 for chafing or signs of arcing of the wire bundle for the auxiliary hydraulic pump. It also required operators to perform corrective actions in accordance with the instructions of the applicable manufacturer’s Service Bulletin.
The purpose of the Airworthiness Directive was to prevent the shorting of wires or arcing at the auxiliary hydraulic pump, which could result in loss of auxiliary hydraulic power or a fire in the wheel well of the aircraft. The Airworthiness Directive also sought to reduce the potential of an ignition source adjacent to the fuel tanks, which, in combination with the flammable vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion.
The FAA first detected the violations on March 25, 2008, during an inspection of two aircraft. The FAA informed American’s management that the aircraft did not comply with the AD, prompting a series of re-inspections and additional maintenance work that occurred during the following two weeks. On March 26, after American performed additional maintenance on its MD-80 fleet, the FAA inspected eight aircraft at American’s Tulsa maintenance base and found that seven did not comply with the Airworthiness Directive. On April 7, the FAA inspected another nine MD-80 aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and found that eight of them still did not comply with the AD. A tenth aircraft inspected by American mechanics also did not comply. On April 8, American began grounding its MD-80 fleet to conduct new inspections and redo work as necessary.
The FAA subsequently determined that 286 of the airline’s MD-80s were operated on a combined 14,278 passenger flights while the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Regulations. American ultimately completed the work required by the 2006 Airworthiness Directive.
Over the last year and a half, FAA safety officials have reported progress in working with American Airlines to help improve the airline’s maintenance culture. The FAA is committed to continuing that work.
American has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.
Small Plane Crashed onto Long Island Rail Road Tracks; 1 Killed, 1 Injured
A Hawker Beechcraft BE35 plane crashed onto Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) tracks at the crossing between Hicksville and Bethpage stations on Long Island, New York, on August 16.
The plane was heading from Francis S. Gabreski Ariport, Westhampton Beach to Morristown when the pilot reported difficulty in maintaining altitude. Authorities said he was attempting to make an emergency landing at Republic Airport, Farmingdale but could not make it to there.
The pilot was killed in the crash while his only passenger, identified as Carl Giordano, 55, of New Vernon, New Jersey, sustained injuries. He was taken to Nassau County University Medical Center.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.
Press Release – FAA Celebrates Recovery Act Funded Airfield Upgrades at Kentucky’s Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration celebrated the completion of an airfield upgrade at Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport in Kentucky, paid for with $3 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
“Airport Recovery Act projects are helping boost local economies all across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The Recovery Act is helping us keep our runways safe and well maintained.”
Recovery Act funds provided the full cost of repaving Georgetown-Scott County Regional Airport’s 5,500 foot-long runway. The runway had deteriorated and had not been fully repaved in nearly 17 years. The construction also included the widening of the ends of the parallel taxiway, which will now be able to accommodate larger aircraft turning on and off the runway.
“General aviation is incredibly important to local communities nationwide and the Recovery Act is funding necessary safety improvements and upgrades that otherwise might not get done,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment as well as airport projects. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.
###
FAA Warns of Design Flaw
The FAA says the rudder system design in the Airbus A300-600 and the Airbus 320 is susceptible to potentially hazardous rudder pedal inputs at higher airspeeds. The system is designed to limit available rudder pedal deflection as airspeed decreases, so at higher speeds, the pedal must be manipulated with greater sensitivity.
The plane’s vertical stabilizer can separate due to excessive input because of the speed differential limits of rudder pedal deflection.
The findings may affect several accident cases where the Airbus rudder separated, causing catastrophic conditions.
FAA Press Release – DOT Celebrates Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Recovery Act Projects
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2010
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) highlighted $15 million in safety upgrades funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of aircraft at the Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
“Recovery Act funding made these safety projects possible,” said U.S Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari during a press conference at BWI. “Not only are we keeping Marylanders at work, we are also improving airport safety and efficiency.”
Deputy Secretary Porcari lauded the ongoing safety, environmental, communications, and utility projects at BWI. When completed next year, BWI’s reconstructed aircraft parking apron between Concourses C and D will allow for more efficient operations among larger aircraft and service vehicles. The projects also include a new environmentally friendly deicing fluid collection system and new communications and utility systems.
“Recovery Act funds are making a difference at our nation’s airports,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “These projects will ensure that BWI continues to meet the safety needs of the airport and traveling public.”
This $15 million Recovery Act grant is one of the largest awarded by the FAA.
Without Recovery Act dollars, construction on this critical $41 million project could not have gotten under way. The rest of the project is being funded by the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program funds and BWI Airport.
The Recovery Act funded an additional $35 million in upgrades at airport runways and aircraft parking aprons in and around the Washington Metropolitan Area.
Nationwide, $1.3 billion in Recovery Act money has been made available for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities and equipment and airport projects. These Recovery Act grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation.
SkyWest Airlines Plane Returns to Tucson International Airport
A United airlines flight had to return and make an emergency landing at Tucson International Airport in Arizona, on February 7th.
The plane, operated by SkyWest Airlines, took off for Los Angeles, California, but had to return shortly afterwards after the cabin filled with smoke.
The plane landed uneventfully. All 73 passengers and 4 crew members were safely evacuated.
The FAA is investigating.