American Airlines cancels 300 flights as MD-80 fleet is reinspected
27 Mar 2008
The American aviation regulator, Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA), ongoing audit of domestic airlines' compliance with its airworthiness directives caused another rumpus on domestic air traffic routes as American Airlines (AA) was forced to cancel more than 300 flights as it temporarily grounded an unspecified number of MD-80s to inspect wiring.
"During the audit of American Airlines, a joint team of AA and FAA inspectors raised questions regarding an already accomplished directive concerning how a certain bundle of wires is secured to the MD-80 aircraft," AA said. "We are re-inspecting the MD-80s to make sure the wiring is installed and secured exactly according to the directive."
AA also said that the cancellations were ordered because "the process can take several hours per aircraft." The planes would return to fleet service "on a rolling basis" after inspections were completed.
American operates more than 300 MD-80s.
FAA directives recently forced Southwest Airlines to ground its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft to inspect structural damage. It also imposed an unprecedented $10.2 million fine on the carrier, which has prided itself on its safety record.
The FAA, meanwhile, has recommended that other MD-80 operators also inspect wiring, but refrained from ordering these aircraft to be grounded.
