WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $430,000 civil penalty against Beechcraft Corp. of Wichita, Kan., for allegedly failing to maintain the required aircraft production quality control system.
The FAA alleges that customers began reporting fuel leaks on 43 Beechcraft Barons that Beechcraft had recently manufactured. Investigators determined the leaks were caused by improperly installed fuel bladders.
“Safety must be the top priority of everybody involved with aviation," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “This is particularly true of manufacturers, where attention to details is vital during all steps of the assembly of complex aircraft."
The FAA alleges Beechcraft did not follow its FAA-approved quality control process to ensure each aircraft conformed to its type design and was in a condition for safe operation.
Beechcraft has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the Agency.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration
