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WASHINGTON -- The U.S.
Department of Transportation�s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a
$735,000 civil penalty against Volaris of Mexico City, Mexico, for allegedly operating
an aircraft that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
The FAA alleges that on March
12, 2013, Volaris returned a U.S.-registered Airbus A319 to service after performing
a heavy maintenance inspection. During that inspection, mechanics allegedly failed
to ensure that certain safety tasks related to the heavy maintenance underwent
required inspections according to Volaris� maintenance manual. These included
removing and replacing an emergency slide, verifying that ailerons were properly
rigged, and verifying the aircraft�s weight and balance calculations.
On March 19, FAA inspectors
reviewed the carrier�s maintenance records and told the company that the
required inspections had not been done. On March 27, Volaris allegedly performed
the required inspections on the slide and aileron tasks, but not the weight and
balance calculation. On April 4, a subsequent FAA inspection found that Volaris
allegedly still had failed to complete the inspection of the weight and balance
calculations. Additionally, the inspection found the company had allegedly
failed to perform the required inspections for two additional tasks related to
the heavy maintenance: a right wing slat seal edge replacement and a nose
landing gear spring nut replacement.
The FAA alleges that Volaris
flew the aircraft on a total of 121 passenger flights before bringing the aircraft
into compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
�Safety must be the top
priority of everybody in the aviation industry,� said FAA Administrator Michael
Huerta. �The traveling public relies on airlines to ensure that airplanes are
properly maintained, which includes paying close attention to all maintenance
requirements.�
Volaris has 30 days from
receipt of the FAA�s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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