May 3, 2001

FAA Proposes $235,000 Fine Against TransBrasil Airlines Inc.

RENTON, Wa. -- The Federal Aviation Administration has
proposed to assess a $235,000 civil penalty against TransBrasil
Airlines Inc. of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for allegedly violating U.S.
Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.

The FAA alleges that on August 3, 1999, TransBrasil Airlines, Inc.
employees in Brazil offered a shipment containing a passenger
service unit with an attached oxygen generator to TransBrasil for
transportation by air on a passenger-carrying flight from Sao
Paulo, Brazil to Miami. The hazardous materials were not declared,
the crew was not notified the flight was carrying such materials
and the shipment was in packages that did not meet specifications
for its transport. Oxygen generators are forbidden from
transportation on passenger aircraft.

Further, the FAA alleges that on August 12, 1999, TransBrasil
Airlines offered the generator to Federal Express for transportation
by air from Miami to Seattle via one or more Federal Express
flights and delivered it to the Boeing Commercial Repair Facility
where it was opened. Boeing informed the FAA of the presence of
the hazardous materials on August 19, 1999.

The FAA alleges that TransBrasil Airlines offered, accepted, and
transported as cargo hazardous materials that were not properly
classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled, or in a condition
for shipment required by the hazardous materials regulations. The
FAA also alleges that TransBrasil Airlines failed to notify the pilots
that hazardous materials were onboard and that shipment was not
accompanied by required emergency response information.

TransBrasil Airlines will have 30 days from its receipt of the FAA's
enforcement letter to respond to the agency. This announcement
of the proposed civil penalty is made in accordance with the
FAA's policy of releasing information to the public on newly issued
enforcement actions in cases involving penalties of $50,000 or
more.

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--This story is posted courtesy FAA

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