ATW Daily News

Eagle faces $2.5 million fine for improper baggage weight calculation

Tuesday February 2, 2010

AMR Corp. regional subsidiary American Eagle Airlines faces a $2.5 million fine for "operating flights without adequately ensuring the weight of baggage was properly calculated," FAA announced yesterday. The agency said that Eagle operated at least 154 scheduled flights in January-October 2008 for which the baggage weight listed on cargo load sheets did not match data entered into its Electronic Weight and Balance System. FAA said the discrepancies "can potentially lead to faulty calculations for the proper control settings and reference speeds necessary for safe takeoffs and landings," hence the proposed penalty.

Once the situation was brought to Eagle's attention, it operated an additional 39 flights before correcting the problem, FAA alleged. The carrier then revised its Station Operating Manual to ensure that proper weight and balance information was confirmed pending automation of its cargo load sheets. Eagle has 30 days to file an official response. In a statement released to media yesterday, the regional said: "We disagree with the civil penalties that are being proposed and believe they are excessive and inappropriate. However, we have a good working relationship with the FAA and will continue to work cooperatively with them toward our common goal, the utmost safety of our customers and employees."

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