Personal Injury Law

American Airlines fined for safety violations

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement today saying it will seek fines of up to $7.1 million dollars from American Airlines for improper maintenance on safety related equipment and deficiencies in their drug and alcohol testing program.

The FAA press release accuses American Airlines of failing to repair two of their large MD-83 passenger planes before sending them back in the air 58 times in violation of FAA regulation. The list of equipment in need of repair included the autopilot mechanism and emergency safety lighting.

According to the FAA, American Airlines knew of these mechanical problems, but improperly deferred repairs and returned the planes to service.

Included in the list of fines was a $1.7 million dollar fine for improperly maintaining their drug and alcohol testing program.

The FAA was created to monitor the airline industry and set strict safety guidelines for all commercial and private aircraft. These guidelines are meant to protect the passengers and flight crews from the worst airline disasters.

Unfortunately, these guidelines are not always followed, even by the largest airline companies. Personal injury lawsuits have revealed numerous cases of negligence that have led to tragic accidents. If you would like to learn more about personal injury law as it relates to airplane and helicopter accidents, please visit our website.

At The Bradley Law Firm, we hold pilots and airlines accountable if their negligence leads to a serious accident. Because of the unique laws and regulations that govern the aviation industry, hiring an attorney that specializes in aviation matters is essential. If you or a loved one has been involved in such an accident, contact us for a free consultation. One of our experienced attorneys will meet with you in person and will advise you on how best to handle your case.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on August 14, 2008 (boomark / email).