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24-Mar-2010 10:03 AM

FAA proposes USD1.45 million Civil Penalty against Northwest Airlines

FAA proposed (23-Mar-2010) a USD1.45 million civil penalty against Northwest Airlines for operating 33 of its B757 aircraft without proper windshield wiring inspections, in violation of a 1990 FAA airworthiness directive. Northwest wrote maintenance instructions for its mechanics in Apr-1990 that omitted the required inspection of the wires under the first officer's window. As a result, 32 of the carrier's B757s flew more than 90,000 passenger flights between 01-Dec-2005 and 27-May-2008, while not in compliance with the airworthiness directive. On 28-May-2008, Northwest discovered it had not performed the proper inspections and revised its maintenance instructions. However, the instructions did not require the work be performed before further flight, but at the next planned overnight layover. As a result, 29 of the 32 aircraft flew 42 passenger-carrying flights while they were still out of compliance with the airworthiness directive. The airline has 30 days to appeal. [more]

The FAA is continuing to flex its oversight muscles having already proposed multiple fines against American and Southwest.

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