The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing civil penalties ranging from $66,000 to $133,950 against eight companies for alleged violations of FAA regulations. They include the following:
• Apollo Aviation of Fruitland Park, Fla.: $77,300 for allegedly operating a Cessna 172 on nine flights between July 21 and 24, 2010, when it was not in compliance with FAA regulations. The aircraft crashed near Waynesboro, Va., on July 24. The pilot was not injured. The FAA alleges Apollo failed to accomplish the required tests and inspections of the altimeter, static system and transponder in the aircraft within the 24 months leading up to the accident.
• JetSmart, Inc., of Rochester, N.Y.: $133,950 for allegedly operating a Hawker Beechcraft 125-800 business jet aircraft on 63 flights between Oct. 3, 2009 and Dec. 15, 2009, when it was not in compliance with FAA regulations. The FAA alleges JetSmart failed to inspect handheld fire extinguishers every 30 days, as required under the company’s approved inspection program. The aircraft also made two additional flights on Dec. 10 and Dec. 15, 2009, when the passenger public address system was inoperative, but the company failed to post the required placard in the airplane confirming that fact.
• 26 North Aviation, Inc. of Allentown, Pa.: $81,000 for allegedly failing to inspect overwing emergency exits after opening them as part of crew evacuation training on several of its aircraft. The company’s FAA-approved general maintenance manual mandates the inspections that must be completed and documented before the aircraft can be returned to service. The alleged violations occurred at multiple points beginning on June 2, 2009 and continued through Feb. 17, 2010.
