US Congress to scrutinise 'critical lapses in FAA safety oversight of airlines'
31 Mar 2008
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines resumed normal operations by the end of last week after completing inspections on the wiring of hundreds of temporarily grounded aircraft. Meanwhile, US aviation regulator, FAA, said it will issue the preliminary results of its audit of the compliance of domestic carriers with its airworthiness directives this week.
Meanwhile, Continental Airlines and Alaska Airlines also acknowledged that they have conducted inspections of older 737s. There were no disruptions in flight schedules, however.
Meanwhile, the widespread disruption of flight schedules and the discomfort caused to air travellers has come under the scanner of the US Congress, where the issue will be taken up by the US House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The committee said that it will examine, what it calls, "critical lapses in FAA safety oversight of airlines."
Southwest Airlines chairman Herb Kelleher and CEO Gary Kelly will also testify regarding FAA's proposed $10.2 million penalty against the airline.
Meanwhile, US Airways has said that it found issues with seven out of 17 757s following inspections sparked by an incident last week in which a wing panel dislodged and struck a passenger window.
US Airways is now rechecking paperwork on 86 737 Classics to ensure inspections conformed to FAA regulations.
