The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration, aka the FAA, proposes a $197,500 civil penalty against R&R Conner Aviation (RCA) of Conner, Montana, for allegedly operating a Bell UH-1B helicopter when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
The FAA alleges that beginning on 16 September 2013, RCA operated the chopper on at least four flights around Detroit, Oregon, when it did not comply with four airworthiness directives and with parts that were past their replacement dates.
The airworthiness directives required regular inspections of the tail boom skin and fin spar cap area; a one-time inspection of the main rotor hub components; tracking and replacing rotating components; and tracking of the aircraft’s time in service and replacement date of the main rotor mast.
The FAA further alleges that RCA operated the aircraft with three components – tail rotor yoke, main rotor stabilizer center frame, and rotating control bolts – that were past their replacement dates.
Because of these violations, the aircraft was not airworthy, the FAA says. The agency further alleges that RCA operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner that endangered lives and property.
The FAA also says RCA did not keep proper records reflecting the status of the four airworthiness directives and of the life-limited parts.
RCA has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
