FAA Seeks $359,350 Civil Penalty Against GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics, Inc.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a civil penalty of $359,350 against GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics, Inc., an El Cajon, Calif.-based aircraft repair station, for allegedly violating FAA drug and alcohol testing regulations.

The FAA alleges GKN failed to conduct required pre-employment drug tests and receive verified negative drug test results before hiring 17 people to perform safety-sensitive functions. The alleged violations took place between May and December, 2011.

The FAA also alleges the company failed to test four randomly-selected individuals for alcohol use in January, April and July, 2011; failed to carry out all the required drug and alcohol testing for two employees as part of the return-to-duty process; and conducted inappropriate post-accident drug testing for two employees.

The FAA discovered the alleged violations during an inspection of GKN’s testing program, Jan. 23-27, 2012.

GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics, Inc. has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.