FAA investigating Southwest over parts, repairs
FAA investigating Southwest over parts and repairs, led to grounding of planes
On Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:42 am EDT

DALLAS (AP) -- Federal officials are investigating whether Southwest Airlines Co. used unauthorized parts for repairs on some of its older jets.

Southwest grounded more than 40 planes last Saturday, causing flight delays.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford says an inspector found problems with documentation of parts that deflect hot engine exhaust away from the wings on Boeing 737 jets.

Lunsford says engineers determined that the use of the parts doesn't pose an immediate safety danger, so Southwest is being allowed to use the planes for 10 days "while a more permanent solution is decided."

Southwest officials didn't immediately return calls for comment.

Earlier this year, Dallas-based Southwest agreed to pay $7.5 million for using planes that hadn't been inspected for structural cracks.

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