The FAA is proposing $359,000 in fines against Utah-based SKYWEST AIRLINES for 3 separate violations the agency said took place between July 2009 and July 2010. Separate from the FAA fines, SkyWest is the focus of 6 ongoing NTSB investigations that involve cabin door maintenance deferral procedures, ramp incidents and landing gear problems. SkyWest currently operates 297 aircraft. The largest of the 3 fines, $220,000, is linked to 5 flights between April and May, 2010. The FAA said SkyWest failed to "document heavy checked bags, motorized mobility aids and a heavy shipment" carried in cargo. "As a result, the company operated the aircraftwith incorrect weight and balance data," said the FAA, adding that the violations allegedly occurred "because the carrier's employees failed to follow required procedures for documenting cargo carried on revenue passenger flights". A proposed civil penalty of $70,500 is linked to allegations that SkyWest employees failed to follow the company's continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) and the Bombardier maintenance and inspection manual for its regional jets during 5 attempts by mechanics to correct an avionics system cooling problem on 1 aircraft. The FAA said SkyWest operated the aircraft on "at least 5" revenue passenger flights from July 15-21, 2009. The FAA is also proposing a $68,500 fine in response to allegations that SkyWest operated another non-complying Bombardier jet on 8 revenue passenger flights between May 30 and June 1, 2010. The FAA said the mechanics in that case failed to follow the carrier's CAMP when replacing the right air conditioning pack's pressure-regulating and shutoff valve. SkyWest, which has 30 days to respond to the proposed fines, said in a statement it is "disappointed with the FAA's assessment" and looks forward to meeting with the agency's representatives "to review the findings" in detail. "Safety of flight was not compromised and we are disappointed with the FAA's decision to issue a notice of proposed civil penalty".
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