A United Airlines Boeing wide body 777-200 aircraft is seen during the take off and flyaway phase, air traffic control tower as the aircraft was departing Amsterdam Schiphol Airport AMS as flight UA21 towards Houston IAH in the United States was passing in front of
Nicolas Economo | NurPhoto | Getty Images
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is proposing fines of more than $1.1 million United Airlines for allegedly failing to perform required fire system safety checks boeing 777s.
The FAA alleged in 2018 that United removed fire system warning checks from a preflight checklist and operated 102,488 Boeing 777 flights from June 2018 to April 2021 without ensuring they were “properly maintained for operation”. according to a letter. The FAA on Monday told United CEO Scott Kirby. CNBC viewed the letter.
“The safety of our flights was never in question,” United said in a statement.
The carrier said it changed its preflight checklist in 2018 “to account for unnecessary built-in checks performed automatically by the 777” and said it was reviewed and approved by the FAA at that time.
“In 2021, the FAA notified United that United’s maintenance program called for pre-flight checks by pilots,” the airline said in a statement. “Once confirmed, United immediately updated its procedures.”
United said it would review the proposed fine.
The FAA said in a statement, “The inspection is required in the Maintenance Specifications Manual. The removal of the check resulted in United failing to conduct the required check and operating the aircraft, which did not meet the airworthiness requirement.”
According to security filings, United had 96 Boeing 777s by the end of 2021, about 11% of its total fleet.