The United States Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a fine of $1.1 million against United Airlines for changing its preflight checklist for its Boeing 777 aircraft. According to the FAA, United missed more than 100,000 inspections of the fire system warning on the Boeing widebodies.

Calling for a fine, a rare action from the FAA

According to the FAA, United's problem began five years ago when the airline changed its preflight checklist for the 777s. Supposedly, the airline removed the inspection of a fire system warning, making the aircraft "unworthy" to fly.

"The FAA alleges United in 2018 removed the Fire System Warning Check from its Boeing 777 Preflight Check List, an inspection task required in its Maintenance Specifications manual." - FAA website

United's CEO, Scott Kirby, received a letter from the FAA outlining all allegations against the Chicago-based airline. The letter states that 102,488 flights were operated between June 2018 and April 2021, in which the fire system warning was not checked. FAA regulations state that crews should perform the checks every 24 hours.

As a result of the missed checks, the FAA has proposed that United pay a fine of $1.1 million. United has 30 days to respond to the FAA's letter formally. In a statement, United said that it would review the FAA's letter but that the safety of its flights was never in question.

How was this discovered?

In 2021, a safety inspector from the FAA discovered that United's preflight checks were not being performed up to regulations. The same day the FAA found this, United issued a bulletin to all its pilots. Regardless, the FAA believes that some aircraft were allowed to depart without the proper checks.

Photo: Croatorum | Shutterstock

On the other side, United claims that its changes to the preflight checks in 2018 were reviewed by the FAA and approved. The airline also said that changes were made as soon as it received communication from the FAA.

Recent United Airlines news

At the end of last month, United celebrated the first graduating class at its Aviate Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. The first group of graduates included 51 students, almost 80% women and people of color. At the time, nearly 240 students were studying at the academy, just over one year old.

Scott Kirby and Executive Vice President and COO Toby Enqvist were both present at the academy to celebrate the first graduates.

"United is leading the industry in the training, recruitment and hiring of the next generation of talented commercial pilots and the progress we've made at United Aviate Academy after just one year is another example of an airline where good leads the way." - Scott Kirby, Chief Executive Officer, United Airlines

By the decade's end, United hopes to train 5,000 pilots at the academy and add 10,000 to the airline. Students have flown more than two million miles, completed more than 68,000 takeoffs and landings, and earned more than 250 aviation certificates.

Source: The Washington Post