U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Press Releases Update

[Federal Aviation Administration <usafaa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Title: U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Press Releases Update

FAA News
September 21, 2011                                               

Contact: Tony Molinaro or Liz Cory            

Phone:  (847) 294-7247, -7849

 

 

FAA Proposes $2.4 Million Civil Penalty Against Cessna Aircraft

 

 KANSAS CITY – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $2,425,000 civil penalty against Cessna Aircraft Co., of Wichita, Kan., after carbon composite parts of the wing of one of its aircraft came apart during flight.  

 

On Dec. 6, 2010, an FAA test pilot performing a production audit test flight in a Cessna Corvalis experienced a failure of the skin on the left wing.  About seven feet of the left wing skin separated from the forward spar and damaged a fuel tank. A spar is a beam-like structure inside the wing and is a principal load-bearing component.  The pilot made an emergency landing at the Independence, Kan., airport.

 

Subsequently, the FAA issued emergency airworthiness directives grounding 13 specific Corvalis aircraft that used wings and parts produced in Cessna’s Chihuahua, Mexico, plant between Dec. 17, 2009, and Dec. 16, 2010.  FAA investigators determined that the wing skin separated from the spar due to excessive humidity in the factory that prevented the bonded materials from curing properly.

 

The FAA alleges that Cessna failed to follow its FAA-approved quality control system when it manufactured the wings on the damaged airplane, as well as 82 additional parts, in the Chihuahua factory. The manufacturer has since made improvements to the plant.

 

“Safety is our highest priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.  “We want to ensure that manufacturers are vigilant when it comes to aviation safety.  There can be no exceptions.”

 

“Quality control is a critical part of the aircraft manufacturing process and has to detect problems before planes leave the factory,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Manufacturers have to ensure that all the details are followed all of the time.”

 

The Corvalis is a high-performance four-seat single-engine general aviation aircraft.  It uses a significant number of composite parts and structures.

 

Cessna has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.

 

 

 

 

You can view or update your subscriptions, password or email address at any time on your User Profile Page. All you will need are your email address and your password (if you have selected one).

This service is provided to you at no charge by the Federal Aviation Administration. Visit us on the web at www.faa.gov.

If you have any questions or problems with the subscription service email support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx for assistance.

GovDelivery, Inc. sending on behalf of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration · 408 St. Peter Street Suite 600 · St. Paul MN 55102 · 1-800-439-1420