Safety Problems Cited In Air Trek Closure

The FAA suspended operations by a Florida air ambulance service Friday, saying the company failed to adhere to numerous safety practices.

According to the Charlotte County Herald-Tribune, the agency issued the emergency order to shut down Air Trek over a variety of issues, including failure to abide to weight guidelines on its aircraft; failure to give pilots proper training, and rest; allowing improperly qualified personnel to perform international flights; and failure to properly inspect and maintain its planes.

Air Trek co-founder Dana Carr admitted his company did not keep up on its paperwork... but maintained the air ambulance service, based in Punta Gorda, followed safety guidelines and flew a properly-maintained fleet.

He also stressed the FAA had not questioned the safety of Air Trek's planes. That runs counter to the FAA suspension notice, however... the first line of which says agency officials "determined that an emergency exists related to safety in air commerce." Carr has filed an appeal to lift the suspension.

Over the past three years, three Air Trek-operated flights have crashed, including a fatal that killed six people. The company has attracted a number of critics in online forums, claiming the company's practices are unsafe.

Carr said one such site, hosted by Angelfire.com, is run by his competitor. "That's made up of a combination of some disgruntled ex-employees and this competitor, and you notice that none of them are willing to put their name to anything," Carr said.

FMI: www.medjets.com, www.faa.gov