Thu, Jan 15, 2009
Emergency Order Of Revocation Comes Following September
Accident
Aero-News has confirmed with an FAA representative that the
agency has issued an emergency order of revocation against Air
Tahoma, ordering the Columbus, OH-based air cargo transport
operator to surrender its operating certificate.
Paul Turk, a senior public affairs official with the agency,
tells Aero-News the FAA has charged Air Tahoma with
30 safety-related violations... which were "systemic
throughout the company" and "not tied to a single pilot,
aircraft or incident." The charges were outlined in a 96-page
letter delivered to the company Wednesday.
Turk states the charges stem from an FAA
audit launched in the aftermath of a fatal September 2008
crash of an Air Tahoma aircraft.
As ANN reported, the Convair 580 crashed
shortly after takeoff on a crew training flight from Rickenbacker
Airport (LCK). The aircraft was returning to the airport when it
impacted terrain one mile from the runway.
All three people onboard were killed in the crash, which
occurred during the plane's first flight following a maintenance
"C" check. According to the National Transportation Safety Board's
preliminary report on the accident, that check included re-rigging
of the aircraft's flight control cables.
Turk says the FAA audit "found problems in most areas" of the
company's operations, including lack of proper emergency
equipment, and failure to properly document maintenance processes
and parts swaps between aircraft.
The emergency order allows Air Tahoma to file an appeal, though
there's no word yet on whether the company will do so. A call to
Air Tahoma's headquarters was transferred to company president Noel
Rude's voicemail.
Air Tahoma began operations in 1996. The carrier, which operates
primarily 1950s-era Convair turboprops, flies regional freight for
FedEx.
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