FAA proposes $325,000 civil penalty against Continental Airlines for flying aircraft with possible problems
May 14th, 2010 - 1:01 am ICT by BNO NewsWASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday proposed a $325,000 civil penalty against Continental Airlines for operating a malfunctioning aircraft on at least 13 commercial flights without properly addressing the problem.
The Boeing 737 was scheduled to fly from Houston to Los Angeles on December 20, 2008 but was diverted to Phoenix, Arizona after the crew noticed the aircraft was burning an excessive amount of fuel.
The agency alleges that the crew of the aircraft saw a warning light on the right main landing gear indicator after the gear retracted on its flight. After discussing the situation with Continental maintenance control, the crew decided to continue the flight.
Later, the crew of the aircraft noticed that the aircraft was burning an excessive amount of fuel. The flight then diverted to Phoenix where Continental maintenance workers inspected the landing gear but did not make a required entry in the aircraft’s maintenance log or any other maintenance record about the abnormal landing.
The FAA said the airline operated the aircraft on at least 12 additional passenger flights before the abnormal gear indication was addressed by mechanics, in violation of Federal Aviation Regulations.
“Air carriers cannot let maintenance issues lapse,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “When a problem is discovered, it needs to be corrected immediately.”
Continental Airlines has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.
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