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Press Release – FAA Proposes $547,500 Civil Penalty Against Hawaiian Airlines
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $547,500 Civil Penalty against Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. for operating a Boeing 767-300 that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
The FAA alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft thousands of times when it was not in compliance with a July 2000 Airworthiness Directive (AD) that required inspections of certain engine thrust reverser components. The purpose of the AD was to prevent a portion of the thrust reverser from coming off in flight, which could cause a rapid decompression of the aircraft.
The AD required initial and repetitive inspections of the components to detect damage and wear, and corrective actions if necessary. It required replacement of the components with new and improved parts within four years of the AD taking effect.
During a July 2012 inspection, the FAA discovered that some of Hawaiian's records erroneously showed the AD did not apply to one of its Boeing 767 aircraft. The FAA alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft more than 5,000 times – mostly on passenger carrying flights – between July 2004 and July 2012 when it was out of compliance with the AD. The FAA further alleges Hawaiian operated the aircraft on 14 passenger flights after the agency alerted the carrier that some of its records erroneously indicated that the AD did not apply to the aircraft.
Additionally, the FAA alleges Hawaiian failed to keep required records of the status of the AD for the aircraft in question.
Hawaiian has requested an informal conference with the FAA to discuss. |
FAA Completes Nationwide Equipment Installation for NextGen Aircraft Tracking System
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration today announced the completion of a nationwide infrastructure upgrade that will enable air traffic controllers to track aircraft with greater accuracy and reliability, while giving pilots more information in the cockpit. This upgrade is a key improvement in the Next Generation Air Transportation System.
"This upgrade is an important step in laying the foundation for the NextGen system, which provides controllers a much more precise view of the airspace, gives pilots much more awareness and information, and as a result strengthens the safety and efficiency of our system," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "This state-of-the-art satellite system is already providing controllers with visibility in places not previously covered by radar."
The nationwide installation of the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) radio network supports a satellite-based surveillance system that tracks aircraft with the help of GPS. This provides more accurate aircraft location information than the current radar system.
NextGen refers to a set of initiatives being implemented by the FAA in collaboration with the aviation community to ensure that the United States has the safest, most efficient airspace possible for decades to come. In addition to ADS-B, NextGen improvements are already delivering benefits that include more efficient air traffic procedures that save time and fuel and reduce emissions.
"The installation of this radio network clears the way for air traffic controllers to begin using ADS-B to separate equipped aircraft nationwide," FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said. "It will also provide pilots flying aircraft equipped with the proper avionics with traffic information, weather data and other flight information."
Of the 230 air traffic facilities across the country, 100 are currently using this system to separate traffic. It is expected to be connected and operating at all 230 facilities by 2019. All aircraft operating in controlled airspace must be equipped with ADS-B Out avionics that broadcast the plane's location, by Jan. 1, 2020.
With the upgraded surveillance and broadcast system and aircraft equipped with ADS-B Out transponders, aircraft positions on controller screens update almost continuously, compared to every 4.7 seconds or longer with radar.
ADS-B also enables more accurate tracking of airplanes and airport vehicles on runways and taxiways, increasing safety and efficiency. The new system significantly improves surveillance capability in areas with geographic challenges like mountains or over water. Airplanes equipped with ADS-B In, which is not currently mandated, will give pilots information through cockpit displays about location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather and terrain, and temporary flight restrictions.
In addition to the operational benefits of ADS-B, each one of the 634 ground stations installed by Exelis of McLean, Va., is substantially smaller than a radar installation – resulting in less impact to the environment and less cost to maintain.
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FAA Announces the Republic of the Philippines' Aviation Safety Rating
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that the Republic of the Philippines complies with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and has been granted a Category 1 rating.
The country previously held a Category 1 rating until January 2008, when it was downgraded to a Category 2. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.
The return to Category 1 status is based on a March 2014 FAA review of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. A Category 1 rating means the country's civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. With the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category 1 rating, the Republic of the Philippines' air carriers can add flights and service to the United States and carry the code of U.S. carriers.
As part of the FAA's IASA program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that have applied to fly to the United States, currently conduct operations to the United States or participate in code sharing arrangements with U.S. partner airlines and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.
In order to maintain a Category 1 rating, a country must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations' technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.
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FAA Dedicates New Houston Air-Traffic Facility
New facility better equipped to handle expected growth in flight operations in Houston area
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today dedicated a new air traffic control facility to better handle the expected growth in flight operations in the Houston area. Deputy FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker attended the dedication, joined by Acting FAA Southwest Region Administrator Michael O'Harra, Houston City Council Member Stephen Costello and Mario Diaz, Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System.
The 47,500 square-foot Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) replaces an outdated structure that was commissioned more than 40 years ago. The new TRACON is located on 21 acres of land at George Bush Intercontinental Airport that is being leased from the City of Houston at no cost.
"This new TRACON is a symbol of the future of air traffic control in the United States," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "We will continue to invest in facilities such as this as we continue advancing NextGen, moving toward satellite-based technology to meet the growing air traffic demand in our major metropolitan areas."
NextGen is a program to upgrade the nation's aviation infrastructure to provide more precise navigation and more direct routes, increase safety and efficiency in the system and facilitate the expected growth in air traffic while decreasing fuel consumption, saving money and reducing the impact on the environment.
"This new air traffic control facility was designed to allow air traffic controllers to take advantage of numerous technologies now being deployed as part of the NextGen air traffic modernization program," said Deputy FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. "TRACON controllers in Houston are currently undergoing training on flight procedures that will make traffic in the Houston safer and more efficient than ever."
The Houston TRACON is responsible for controlling air traffic over roughly 16,000 square miles of airspace stretching from the Texas-Louisiana border to approximately 35 miles east of Austin and from Galveston to 30 miles north of College Station. In Fiscal Year 2013, Houston TRACON controllers directed more than 940,000 individual aircraft operations.
Approximately 218 controllers, managers and technical support personnel work at the new TRACON. The facility is equipped with computers and color radar displays that allow controllers to take advantage of the increased efficiency and safety that comes with NextGen air traffic control. The FAA began using the new TRACON in September 2013. The total cost of the project, including construction and new electronic equipment, was about $50 million.
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FAA Proposes $325,000 Civil Penalty Against Alfa Chemistry
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $325,000 civil penalty against Alfa Chemistry of Stony Brook, New York, for allegedly violating U.S. Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Regulations.
The FAA alleges that on two separate FedEx cargo flights, Alfa Chemistry shipped undeclared hazardous material that DOT regulations prohibit from being transported on passenger and cargo aircraft. The company allegedly shipped approximately one pint of Acrolein on April 19, 2013 and three additional pints of it on May 23, 2013. Acrolein can become explosive when combined with air and is classified as a toxic/poisonous material and flammable liquid under DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations.
On May 24, 2013, FAA and FedEx personnel tried to inspect the second shipment of Acrolein at the FedEx sort facility in Peabody, Massachusetts, after it began emitting a strong, pungent odor. However, they were unable to examine it because they began to experience coughing fits and extreme eye, nose and throat irritation due to the severity of the odor and vapors coming from the shipment. A FedEx employee had to put on a protective suit to inspect the shipment.
The FAA determined that neither shipment had required shipping papers or emergency response information. The FAA also determined that the May 23, 2013 shipment was not marked, labeled, or packaged as required by the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
Additionally, the FAA determined Alfa Chemistry failed to properly train and test the employees who packaged the Acrolein.
Alfa Chemistry has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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FAA Issues Emergency Suspension for Aviation Services Inc. Repair Station
The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has suspended the repair station certificate of Aviation Service, Inc. (ASI), a Lexington, Kentucky-based aircraft repair station.
The FAA alleges that ASI failed to establish an Employee Training Program (ETP) that met FAA regulations. The FAA notified ASI numerous times between July 7, 2011 and October 9, 2012 that its ETP did not meet FAA regulations.
After ASI failed to modify its ETP, the FAA issued an immediately effective action to suspend ASI's certificate, determining that an emergency existed related to the safety of the traveling public.
An FAA-approved ETP is critical to ensure that employees performing maintenance for a repair station are capable of completing such work.
The suspension will continue until ASI develops an ETP that the FAA approves.
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