United Airlines faces US$435,000 FAA civil penalty over alleged safety breach

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated it intends to issue a civil penalty of US$435,000 against United Airlines for an alleged breach of safety by operating an aircraft which was not technically in an airworthy condition.
The safety breach relates to the replacement of a faulty fuel pressure pump switch on June 9, 2017 on a Boeing 787 which had been documented a couple of days beforehand by the flight crew. While the switch was replaced, it is alleged the repair was not subsequently inspected, as required by FAA regulations, prior to the jet being put back in service. The plane flew a total of 23 international passenger flights before the required inspection was performed on June 28, two of these flights the FAA alleges occurred after United Airlines had been notified by the them of the inspection not having been performed.
As a consequence, the FAA is alleging that the Boeing jet was not airworthy during all of the 23 flights. According to Michael Huerta, the FAA administrator, “Maintaining the highest levels of safety depends on operators closely following all applicable rules and regulations.” Huerta added that, “Failing to do so can create unsafe conditions.”
United Airlines intends to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.