The FAA alleges United flew the aircraft on 23 flights while it was not airworthy.
The FAA is proposing a civil penalty of $435,000 against United Airlines, for “allegedly operating an aircraft that was not in an airworthy condition.”
According to the FAA, United mechanics replaced a fuel pump pressure switch on a Boeing 787 on June 9, 2014, responding to an issue the flight crew had documented two days prior. However, the agency says that after the installation, United failed to perform a required inspection of the work before returning the aircraft to service.
United then operated that 787 on 23 domestic and international flight with passengers before finally performing the required inspection of the fuel pump pressure switch installation on June 28, 2014. In addition, the FAA says two of those flights occurred after the agency had notified United that they had not performed the required inspection.
The FAA believes the aircraft was not airworthy for all 23 of those flights, with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta adding that “Maintaining the highest levels of safety depends on operators closely following all applicable rules and regulations. Failing to do so can create unsafe conditions.”
In response to the proposed penalty, United is asking to meet with the FAA for further discussion.
Featured Image: United Boeing 787 courtesy of Mark Harkin, CC BY 2.0
Enjoy Your FAA Ramp Check
Your pilot license or an entire career can potentially be on the line during an FAA ramp check. What you say and do is important, but for the majority of pilots, you have nothing to fear. Pilots have to deal with the FAA in a variety of scheduled situations, so it’s the element of surprise which is the variable here. While I don’t think I look especially suspicious, I have been ramp checked by the FAA while operating Part 91, 135 and 121. It always happens when I’m in a hurry [Click to read more…]
