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SEATTLE �The U.S. Department of
Transportation�s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $911,000
civil penalty against SkyWest Airlines of St. George, Utah, for allegedly
operating two aircraft that were not in compliance with federal aviation
regulations. The FAA alleges SkyWest failed to
inspect the cargo door skins on two Bombardier CL-600 jets at required
intervals. The inspections were required by an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued
in 2006 after cracks were discovered in the aluminum cargo door skin of a
CL-600 during fatigue testing. The FAA determined that regular inspections of
that type of aircraft for similar cracking could help prevent a situation in
which a cracked skin could lead to an accident or unsafe condition. SkyWest allegedly operated the
aircraft on a total of 15,969 flights when the inspections were overdue. �Safety is our top
priority,� said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. �We expect operators to
comply fully with all FAA regulations and directives.� SkyWest has 30 days from receipt of the FAA�s enforcement letter to respond to the
agency.
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