Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday announced its proposal of $2,476,075 in civil penalties against Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines of Bridgeton, Montana for violating various maintenance procedures. It also proposed $422,500 in fines against two Indian companies for violating U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.

Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines are being accused of operating nine jets on 320 revenue passenger flights when the aircraft were not in compliance with FAA Regulations, as FAA alleges that the maintenance had been carried out incorrectly, and that the company failed to complete required maintenance record-keeping.

Among the violated maintenance regulations and procedures, include use of outdated manufacturers’ maintenance instructions to perform repairs; failure to connect a wing flap actuator to its torque tube, rendering the flaps inoperative; failure to document an inspection after an aircraft was damaged by severe turbulence; failure to document and carry out proper repairs after aircraft warning systems identified problems; improper repair of an engine oil leak and failure to comply with minimum equipment list regulations.

“Air carriers cannot ignore maintenance requirements or allow employees to take a pass on following regulations,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Safety depends not only on maintenance work being done correctly, but also being recorded properly.”

The FAA is also proposing $227,500 in penalties against IIS & Allied Services and $195,000 in penalties against its freight forwarder, Gallant Freight & Travels Private, Limited of Mumbai, India for allegedly offering a shipment containing depleted uranium, a radioactive material, to British Airways for air transport from Mumbai to Boston on June 7, 2008 without declaring the hazardous nature of its contents.

The shipment flew as cargo on a passenger-carrying flight, but British Airways employees at its cargo center in Boston discovered the radioactive material a week later when the bottom of the outer packaging failed and separated from the rest of the crate.

The companies allegedly offered the hazardous material for transportation when it was not packaged, marked, classed, described, labeled or in condition for shipment as required by regulations. Radioactive materials, with some exceptions, may not be shipped as cargo aboard passenger aircraft.

The accused companies have 30 days to respond to the agency after the receipt of the civil penalty letters.