Plane Crashes: What Price for Safety?

March 16, 2010, 10:30AM. By Heidi Turner

Dallas, TXIn the wake of some high profile plane crashes, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has started cracking down on airplane safety. According to the Dallas Morning News on 3/13/10, the FAA recently proposed fines of $787,500 against American Airlines for improper maintenance of its planes.

The FAA issued one $625,000 penalty to American Airlines for flying a plane with a malfunctioning central air data computer. The FAA reported that the plane made 10 flights before the computer was replaced. According to the 3/12/10 edition of Reuters, flight crews who operated the plane were "led to believe" that both computers were working normally.

The airline received a second penalty for not complying with an airworthiness directive on four Boeing 757 planes that required rudder component inspections. Two of the aircraft reportedly flew three passenger flights without undergoing the necessary inspection.

Finally, the FAA proposed an $87,500 fine for an instance in which a plane returned to service and made flights without undergoing a maintenance check. The FAA noted that there were problems with the plane's tail section, including loose screws and a missing nut plate.

The airline has 30 days to appeal the penalty and has said it will discuss the matter with the FAA. "American Airlines is very proud of our safety record and our employees' commitment to safety every day," said spokesman Tim Smith, as quoted in the Dallas Morning News. "Safety is fundamental to the American Airlines culture and to our success."

American Airlines still has not learned what fines it might face for a situation in 2008 during which more than 3,000 flights were grounded for inspection and repairs.

Meanwhile, the airline industry and the government are fighting over who should pay for upgraded navigation systems to put in airplanes. According to the 3/15/10 edition of the Wall Street Journal, the Senate is considering a $35 billion package to implement stronger rules for airline safety, including better pilot training and scheduling changes to prevent pilot fatigue.

The airline industry said it was surprised that the stimulus bill did not include financial aid to help install the upgraded navigation systems in the planes.