Alaska Airlines may be fined US$590,000 for negligence

Alaska Airlines might have to pay a hefty fine of US$590,000 for negligence and poor upkeep of its aircrafts.

According to a report by the US aviation regulatory body Federal Aviation Administration, the airline on its 2,107 flights operated a Boeing 737 with a defect causing a cockpit fire. Considering the negligence and poor maintenance of Alaska Airlines’ fleet, the FAA recently proposed a US$590,000 fine against Alaska Airlines.

The FAA disclosed that Alaska Airlines had improperly installed a hose clamp and caused wiring to chafe, which led to a fire in the cockpit ceiling of a Boeing 737 aircraft parked at Anchorage International Airport’s gate on January 18, 2010. The FAA said that the maintenance manual for Boeing 737-400 clearly outlines the specific guidelines for properly installing the hose clamp.

The FAA further said that Alaska Airlines later on found the similar problem on its 9 other aircrafts in its fleet and promptly fixed them, after which no other fires have since been reported.  Alaska Airlines has said that it is ready to assist and work in cooperation with the FAA over the proposed civil penalties during standard negotiation process.

Alaska Airlines is the leading low cost carrier in the United States and offer exciting travel packages and cheap flight deals regularly to its customers.