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SEATTLE � The U.S.
Department of Transportation�s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes an
$892,500 civil penalty against Air Methods Corp. of Englewood, Colo., for
allegedly operating an Airbus EC-135 helicopter on passenger-carrying flights when
it was not airworthy.�
�
The FAA alleges that during a
Nov. 4, 2014 inspection in Tampa, Fla., an FAA inspector discovered that the
helicopter�s pitot tubes were severely corroded. Pitot tubes are components in
a system that measures an aircraft�s airspeed.
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The FAA immediately notified Air
Methods about the corrosion. However, Air Methods continued to operate the
helicopter on 51 passenger-carrying revenue flights between Nov. 4 and Nov. 11,
2014 without repairing or replacing the pitot tubes,
the FAA alleges. �
�
The
FAA alleges that because of the corroded pitot tubes, Air Methods operated the
helicopter when it was unairworthy; in violation of its operations specifications;
after it failed to correct a known defect in the aircraft; and in a careless or
reckless manner that endangered lives and property.
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�Operators
are expected to respond appropriately when FAA inspectors alert them to
airworthiness concerns,� said FAA Administrator
Michael Huerta. �It is imperative that all operators address those concerns before
operating their aircraft.�
�
Air Methods has 30 days from receiving the FAA�s
enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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