The Federal Aviation Administration Thursday initiated an action to collect a $10.2 million civil penalty from Southwest Airlines for operating 46 airplanes without performing mandatory inspections for fuselage fatigue cracking. Later, the airline found that six of the 46 airplanes had fatigue cracks.
From June 18, 2006, to March 14, 2007, the FAA alleges that Southwest
Airlines operated 46 Boeing 737 airplanes on 59,791 flights while failing to comply with a September 8, 2004, FAA airworthiness directive that required repetitive inspections of certain fuselage areas to detect fatigue cracking.
Southwest Airlines has 30 days to respond to the agency.
The airline said Thursday, in a New York Times article, that it had complied with regulators’ requests and would contest any fine.
CNN reported Thursday on these fuselage inspections allegations and an additional 70 alleged rudder system inspection violations.
Congressional hearings are expected in April.
Southwest has an excellent overall safety record, according to a Reuters article.
