Tue, Sep 13, 2011
Alleges Company Made Improper Repairs to 44 B737-300s
The FAA is proposing a $1.1 million civil penalty against
Aviation Technical Services, Inc. (ATS), of Everett, WA, for
allegedly making improper repairs to 44 Southwest Airlines
B-737-300s. The FAA alleges that ATS failed to accomplish all the
work required by three FAA airworthiness directives calling for
five repetitive inspections and a one-time inspection to find and
repair fatigue cracks in the fuselage skins of the planes.
The inspections are part of Southwest’s Continuous
Airworthiness Maintenance Program.
Southwest Photo
After the inspections, ATS allegedly failed to install fasteners
in all the rivet holes within the time specified for the task. The
drying time of the required sealant dictates the window available
to complete installation of the fasteners. The aircraft involved
returned to service between Dec. 1, 2006 and Sept.18, 2009.
The Southwest Airlines B-737-300 that suffered a fuselage crown
failure in April 2011 is not one of the aircraft listed in the
proposed civil penalty. ATS did not perform inspection and
repair work on that aircraft prior to the April fuselage
failure.
“Aircraft can be operated safely for many years if all the
maintenance work is performed properly,” said FAA
Administrator Randy Babbitt. “It is critical to follow all
the required steps.”
Aviation Technical Services has 30 days from the receipt of the
FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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