FAA Fining Continental for Poor Maintenance

Continental Airlines flew two Boeing 737-900ER aircraft that were not in compliance with FAA regulations for 73 flights.
FAA Fining Continental for Poor Maintenance
Okay Airways' Boeing 737-900 on a flight in 2005. STR/AFP/Getty Images
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<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/boeing_737_900_55977632.jpg" alt="Okay Airways' Boeing 737-900 on a flight in 2005. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)" title="Okay Airways' Boeing 737-900 on a flight in 2005. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1810493"/></a>
Okay Airways' Boeing 737-900 on a flight in 2005. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Continental Airlines is under fire from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for flying two Boeing 737-900ER airplanes not in compliance with federal aviation regulations on 73 flights.

The FAA is proposing a $275,000 civil penalty against Continental Airlines Inc. for the infraction.

According to FAA allegations, “Continental mechanics failed to follow the 737 Airplane Maintenance Manual when they installed incorrect main landing gear wheel [and] tire assemblies on two aircraft and released them for service on Nov. 7 and Nov. 19, 2009.”

The FAA said in a statement that manual instructions for the wheel and tire assemblies state that using the wrong assemblies on heavier versions of the B-737 could lead to damage to the aircraft or injury to people working around or on the aircraft.

Continental, which recently merged with United Airlines, will have 30 days to respond to FAA.