Thu, Aug 11, 2011
Says Regional Carrier Operated Several Flights Out Of Weight
And Balance Parameters
The
FAA is proposing $155,000 in civil penalties against American Eagle
Airlines of Fort Worth, Texas for allegedly operating eight flights
with incorrect weight and balance data, and for using improper
maintenance procedures when repairing a jet engine and then
operating the aircraft when it was not in compliance with FAA
regulations.
FAA inspectors observed 12 American Eagle flights arriving at
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Dec. 28-29, 2010. In
eight instances, loading documents for checked luggage did not
match observations made by the inspector.
American Eagle’s FAA-approved weight and balance program
calls for the use of an automated Electronic Weight and Balance
System (EWBS) to make sure aircraft are operated with correct
weight and balance information. However, accurate data must be
entered for the EWBS to function properly.
Operators may not exceed an aircraft’s weight limit when
loading the plane and the weight must be distributed so that the
aircraft remains in balance during the flight. The FAA
alleges American Eagle entered inaccurate data in the EWBS, then
operated the aircraft with incorrect weight and balance
information. The proposed civil penalty is $80,000.
The FAA also alleges American Eagle used improper procedures to
repair an engine on one of its Embraer 135 regional jets, and that
a mechanic signed off as “complete” on work he
had not performed. As a result, American Eagle operated the
aircraft on 34 flights between Sept.11 and Sept. 17, 2010, when it
was not in compliance with regulations. The proposed civil
penalty is $75,000.
American Eagle has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s
enforcement letters to respond to the agency.
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