August 27, 2010 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $24.2 million civil penalty against American Airlines Inc. for failing to correctly follow an Airworthiness Directive involving the maintenance of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. This civil penalty is the largest ever proposed by the FAA. 

?We put rules and regulations in place to keep the flying public safe,? said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. ?We expect operators to perform inspections and conduct regular and required maintenance in order to prevent safety issues. There can be no compromises when it comes to safety.? 

The FAA alleges American did not follow steps outlined in a 2006 Airworthiness Directive requiring operators to inspect wire bundles located in the wheel wells of MD-80 aircraft.

The FAA subsequently determined that 286 of the airline?s MD-80s were operated on a combined 14,278 passenger flights while the aircraft were not in compliance with Federal Regulations. American ultimately completed the work required by the 2006 Airworthiness Directive. Over the last year and a half, FAA safety officials have reported progress in working with American Airlines to help improve the airline?s maintenance culture. The FAA is committed to continuing that work. American has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA?s civil penalty letter to respond to the agency. (see letter from the FAA to Thomas Horton President American Airlines)