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The FAA proposes a $27.6 million fine over work on the engines of Boeing 767 jets. American sought and received permission from Boeing for an alternative fix, but before getting that approval it used four planes on 2,118 flights in 2008, according to court documents. Any of those three cases would break the record -- already held by American
-- for the largest proposed penalty against any airline. In 2010, the FAA announced it would seek a $24.2 million fine for alleged improper repairs of wiring around the landing gear of American's MD-80 aircraft. That case has not been settled. American stressed that the potential fines are not final and sought to downplay the FAA's claims by noting that AMR faced nearly 8,900 claims totaling $95.1 billion as of the July 16 deadline. "It is not an admission that money is owed, nor is it an admission that the amount cited is correct," said Trevino, the AMR spokesman. While American defended its safety record, pilots have raised concerns about some of the FAA's findings, according to a union spokesman. "These are stunning findings. We thought some of the issues raised were safety-of-flight issues," said Gregg Overman of the Allied Pilots Association. He pointed to the issue of wiring procedures on MD-80 jets as an example. Overman praised the airline's mechanics and said any mistakes were the fault of managers who crafted the company's responses to safety rules called airworthiness directives. "These are management decisions here," he said. AMR, American and the American Eagle regional airline filed for bankruptcy protection Nov. 29. In a deal worked out with its creditors, AMR is currently talking to other airlines about possible mergers. US Airways Group Inc. has pushed for just such a merger.
[Associated
Press;
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