US authorities have proposed issuing a $1.55 million civil penalty against FedEx for allegedly failing to revise its continuous airworthiness maintenance programme in accordance with FAA regulations.
The agency believes the airline failed to use approved standards, inspections and time limitations for 14 cargo unit load devices (ULD) used on aircraft beginning in early 2008.
The civil penalty, says FAA, addresses 124 flights operated from 20 March to 17 April 2008.
During routine surveillance conducted from 14 March through 20 March 2008, FAA inspectors determined FedEx failed to incorporate technical standard orders (TSO) into its maintenance programme for the ULDs.
The TSOs cover maintenance instructions for ULD smoke detectors, power distribution feed and batteries.
FAA explains FedEx could not ensure that it used approved maintenance standards for 14 newly installed ULDs since the company failed to make necessary revisions to its programme for overhauling and inspecting the devices.
On 20 March 2008 FAA notified the carrier about the problem, but FedEx did not make necessary revisions to the continuous maintenance programme until 17 April.
FedEx has 30 days to respond to the proposed penalty.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
