Posted on Thu, Dec. 26, 2002





FAA asked about airline maintenance
Money sought to keep agency on top of inspections, servicing
LESLIE MILLER
Associated Press



WASHINGTON - Spurred in part by the financial troubles of US Airways and United Airlines and concerned that the FAA can't maintain increased vigilance on their maintenance practices, some lawmakers question whether the agency is up to the job.

The Federal Aviation Administration needs more money to do the job, said Rep. John Mica, chairman of the House aviation subcommittee. The Florida Republican said he may write legislation ordering that FAA personnel be shifted to that task.

"There have been many more people killed due to maintenance defects and lack of inspection and oversight than in all the terrorist acts combined in this country," Mica said. "We do have some airlines in deep financial trouble, and it's important we have inspections to make certain they're operating safe aircraft and that proper maintenance is adhered to."

The FAA normally increases vigilance to ensure maintenance isn't compromised at airlines that need to cut costs.

But the FAA, facing criticism for not doing enough to monitor maintenance at fast-growing Alaska Airlines, has its work cut out for it with the two huge airlines in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. United is the second-largest U.S. airline and US Airways is the fifth-largest.

The FAA has 3,300 aviation safety inspectors to monitor 139 airlines, 637,000 active pilots, 273,000 mechanics, 7,600 commercial aircraft, 11,000 charter aircraft and 220,000 private planes, according to an April audit by the Transportation Department's inspector general.

FAA inspectors analyze data, review paperwork and conduct spot checks of airlines' maintenance programs. Labor unrest, financial problems and rapid growth are among the things that prompt increased supervision.

Pilots, often the first to notice maintenance corners being cut, haven't heard of any safety problems at United or US Airways, said John Mazor, spokesman for the Air Line Pilots Association.


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