FAA investigates 4 airlines

WASHINGTON — Four U.S. airlines are being investigated for failing to comply with federal aviation regulations.

Federal Aviation Administration officials on Wednesday said an audit of airline maintenance records found three of the four carriers had missed inspection deadlines, while the other failed to submit a required plan.

Two carriers failed to complete inspections of wire bundles for the auxiliary hydraulic pump. The third didn't finish repetitive inspections, according to the FAA.

The results come after a recent string of airline maintenance problems — and on the same day United Airlines grounded dozens of flights.

On Wednesday, United pulled its Boeing 777s from service to test their cargo fire-suppression systems. Last week, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines canceled hundreds of flights to check wiring bundles on some planes.

Also last week, US Airways Group Inc. found problems on some Boeing 757 aircraft after a wing part from another plane fell off during a flight. During subsequent inspections, crews found problems on seven planes and performed minor repairs before returning them to service.

The FAA on Wednesday would not name the four carriers under investigation, but said penalties could be levied. It will be several months before the probes are complete.

Acting FAA Administrator Robert A. Sturgell said the flying public should feel safe, despite the maintenance concerns and canceled flights that started with Southwest Airlines Co. last month.

The FAA took the unusual step of ordering the audit of maintenance records at all domestic carriers after reports of missed safety inspections at Southwest. The airline is facing a record $10.2 million fine for continuing to fly dozens of Boeing 737s that hadn't been inspected for cracks in their fuselages.

Industry-wide scrutiny of maintenance issues may not be the norm but has become necessary, said Daniel Petree, dean of the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"There are no (recent) examples of poor maintenance or oversight leading to a catastrophe, and we don't want to go there," Petree said. "It's appropriate to act before we get there."

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is conducting its own probe of the FAA's oversight of airlines and will report its findings at a hearing today. Among those scheduled to testify are a whistle-blower who first detailed problems at Southwest and the Dallas-based company's chairman and chief executive.