FAA fines American Airlines $24M for safety lapses (largest fine in history)

[mike r]

Source: USA Today

Federal aviation regulators hit American Airlines on Thursday with the largest fine in history, charging that the carrier made thousands of flights on jets with wiring prone to dangerous sparking.

The Federal Aviation Administration intends to fine American $24.2 million, which far exceeds the previous largest penalty. The airline flew 14,278 times on its fleet of MD-80 jets without making required upgrades to wiring, the agency charged.

"We put rules and regulations in place to keep the flying public safe," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "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."

American issued a statement insisting that safety was never compromised on any of its flights and vowing to contest the fine.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-08-26-american-airlines-penalty_N.htm

[SoapBox]

1. And remember...GO-BPers, RushTurds and TeaHaters want LESS regulations!

I'm sure that the Radical Right thinks that this fine is outrageous...remember, "accidents" DO happen and according to them, regulations can't stop "accidents" (egg recall, oil rig deaths, etc.)! Forget that AA just plain old didn't fix the problems.

Lack of regulations goes so well with DIE QUICKLY!!

...oh...and this is what deregulation brought to the airline industry.

[rasputin1952]

2. They can afford a trip in a Learjet...

the thought of traveling w/the unwashed masses puts them in cardiac event status. They must control the area they are in...few things would make me happier than sitting in coach next to "Tons-o'-Fun" Rush, and making him listen to me for 3 hours...

[Hawkeye-X]

3. I hate those MD-80s

I avoid them as much as possible.

I loved the Boeing 777-200 on the ride back home from California on Sunday.

Normally we fly either the 737-800's or the A320 family, so it was a rare treat to fly on a widebody jet.

Got great seats, right in the middle on economy plus, and I fell asleep on the way home, a first for me in over 34 years of flying.

[Pavulon]

4. One of the last to use Union mechanics in the states

so if they fucked up they should pay the fine. But many have outsourced the work to shops in 3rd world shitholes..

I support American and any others that use Americans to get the work done.

[alp227]

5. FAA hits American Airlines with biggest fine ever

Source: CNN

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Federal aviation regulators slapped American Airlines on Thursday with the largest fine in history, charging that the carrier made thousands of unsafe flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it has "proposed" a $24.2 million civil penalty for American Airlines' failure to properly inspect wire bundles in the wheel wells of its MD-80 aircraft. The incident snarled thousands of flights in 2008.

The airline, owned by AMR Corp., (AMR, Fortune 500) did not follow the guidelines in the so-called 2006 Airworthiness Directive, which was intended to prevent wires from shorting, which could cause a loss of power and possibly a fire, the FAA said.

The airline's stock price is down 1.7%.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/26/news/companies/american_airlines_faa/index.htm

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Discovered this story on Turley: http://jonathanturley.org/2010/08/27/american-airlines-hit-with-record-fine-for-safety-violations/

[crim son]

6. They should have been fined a long time ago

for hiring assholes as flight attendants. I hat AA.