The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) is proposing a $12 million civil penalty against Southwest
Airlines for failing to comply with Federal Aviation Regulations in
three separate enforcement cases related to repairs on Boeing 737
jetliners operated by the Dallas-based airline.
The
FAA alleges that beginning in 2006, Southwest conducted so-called
“extreme makeover” alterations to eliminate potential cracking of
the aluminum skin on 44 jetliners. The FAA conducted an investigation
that included both the airline and its contractor, Aviation Technical
Services, Inc., (ATS) of Everett, Wash.
Investigators
determined that ATS failed to follow proper procedures for replacing
the fuselage skins on these aircraft. FAA investigators also
determined that ATS failed to follow required procedures for placing
the airplanes on jacks and stabilizing them. All of the work was done
under the supervision of Southwest Airlines, which was responsible
for ensuring that procedures were properly followed.
Southwest
returned the jetliners to service and operated them when they were
not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, the FAA alleges.
The regulatory violations charged involve numerous flights that
occurred in 2009 after the FAA put the airline on notice that these
aircraft were not in compliance with either FAA Airworthiness
Directives or alternate, FAA-approved methods of complying with the
directives. The FAA later approved the repairs after the airline
provided proper documentation that the repairs met safety standards.
Southwest
Airlines has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty
letter to respond to the allegations.
Related
story: April 2, 2011 - Southwest Airlines grounds 81 planes after roof rips open in flight
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