Mar 6, 2008 4:24 pm US/Central
Southwest Faces Big Fine For Safety Violations
FAA Seeks $10 Million After Airline Allegedly Flew Cracked Airplanes, Failed To Perform Inspections
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Southwest Airlines is facing a $10 million fine for failing to perform mandatory inspections on dozens of its Boeing 737 aircraft and flying several of the aircraft with cracks in the fuselage, the FAA announced Thursday.
The FAA is seeking the penalty after Southwest, which has a major hub at Midway Airport, failed to inspect 46 aircraft fuselages for cracks. A subsequent investigation found six aircraft had fatigue cracks, the FAA said.
"The FAA is taking action against Southwest Airlines for a failing to follow rules that are designed to protect passengers and crew," said FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Nicholas A. Sabatini. "We expect the airline industry to fully comply with all FAA directives and take corrective action."
From June 18, 2006 to March 14, 2007, the FAA alleges that Southwest Airlines operated 46 Boeing 737 airplanes on 59,791 flights while failing to comply with a requirement to inspect for fatigue cracking.
The FAA alleges that after Southwest Airlines discovered that it had failed to accomplish the required inspections, between March 15, 2007 and March 23, 2007, it continued to operate those same 46 airplanes on an additional 1,451 flights.
The airline told the Associated Press that it has complied with regulators' requests and will contest any fine.
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