US regulators have proposed a $2.9 million fine against American Eagle Airlines following the issuance of another penalty against the carrier on 1 February.
FAA alleges American Airlines' wholly-owned subsidiary operated roughly 1,178 flights with Bombardier jets that had improperly repaired landing gear doors. Flightglobal's ACAS fleet database shows American Eagle operates 25 Bombardier CRJ700s.
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The agency says the doors were not repaired in accordance with an airworthiness directive --AD 2006-14-05-- that became effective in August 2006. To comply properly with the directive operators of certain Bombardier jets were required to inspect left and right main landing gear inboard doors for cracks and other damage, including loose or missing fasteners. The directive required operators to remove affected doors and replace them with new or repaired ones, or that the doors be removed and the discrepancy noted in the aircraft's records.
"American Eagle found such damage on four aircraft," says FAA. "Rather than removing the doors, the airline repaired them while they remained on the planes."
FAA explains its inspectors determined American Eagle operated 961 flights while it was unaware of the situation, and flew 217 additional flights after the issue was discovered.
American Eagle subsequently removed the landing gear doors on each affected aircraft and repaired them in accordance with the AD, says FAA.
On 1 February FAA proposed a separate $2.5 million fine against the carrier for operating flights without ensuring the weight of the baggage was properly calculated.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
