Airlines faces fines for safety breaches

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking to fine US Airways and United Airlines after both airlines have been found guilty of massive safety violations. The fines will reach into the millions as the safety breaches are said to be severe. One violation found that mechanics for an aircraft had simply stuffed towels into a faulty engine to stop a leak and many of the company’s own rules have been broken as well as the FAA’s rules.

The fine against US Airways is set to stand at $5.4 million after eight planes that took part in a whopping 1,647 flights from the period of October 2008 to January 2009 were found to be guilty of breaking safety rules. United of Chicago are facing a fine of $3.8 million after one of its Boeing 737 planes that took part in more than 200 flights had towels in place to catch dripping oil at the bottom of the engine instead of safety caps. Under the rules in place by the FAA, the airlines will have up to 30 days in which to present their counter evidence after which time the FAA can then impose their planned fines.

It is expected that the fines may be lowered after negotiations, but the heftiness of the fines show that the FAA are serious about taking action against the carriers for safety misconduct. The FAA also claim that US Airways failed to inspect a Boeing 757 that flew passengers a total of 505 times and an Airbus A320 that took to the skies 855 times flew regardless of the fact that it did not meet the safety guidelines set out by the company itself.