A fine of $45,125 is being proposed by the Federal Aviation Administration against Horizon Air, as it has accused it of operating a twin-engine small aircraft without having it inspected for corrosion or cracks in the engine area. The regional airline is owned by Alaska Airlines, which is based in Seattle. It has 30 days in which to respond to the FAA fine. Horizon has in its fleet about 50 Bombardier planes.
The FAA has charged that the airline failed to comply with a prior order to have a section of the plane close to the engine inspected for corrosion and cracks after each 300 hours of flights, and make repairs when necessary.
From March 17 to March 23 of 2011, the regulatory agency said Horizon operated over 45 passenger flights after passing the 300 flight hour limit since the aircraft had last been inspected. Horizon said in a statement that it carried out the inspection but it was not properly documented, as there was a misunderstanding on the completed work order.
The plane, said Horizon, was immediately taken out of service the day following the inspection when the airline realized they had incorrectly documented the work. The plane was subsequently re-inspected and was found to have no defectives and in complete working order.
A civil fine in the amount of $210,000 was also proposed by the FAA against Horizon’s parent company Alaska Airlines. The FAA alleges the airline did not properly tag and document systems that were deactivated before making certain repairs. In a prepared statement, Alaska Airlines said it has changed its procedures in order to ensure it is in compliance.
