FAA Proposes $95,000 Fine Against KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

RENTON, Wa. -- The Federal Aviation Administration has
proposed to assess a $95,000 civil penalty against KLM Royal
Dutch Airlines of the Netherlands for allegedly violating U.S.
Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.

The FAA alleges that KLM employees in the Netherlands offered a
shipment containing an oxygen generator and protective breathing
equipment to KLM for transportation by air as cargo on a
passenger flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles, Sept. 26, 2000.
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.

KLM then offered the generator to Federal Express for
transportation by air from Los Angeles to Seattle, the shipment
was delivered to the Boeing Spares Distribution Center where it
was opened and the presence of the hazardous materials
disclosed to the FAA.

The FAA alleges that KLM improperly 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 KLM failed to notify the pilots that
hazardous materials were on board and that the shipment was not
accompanied by required emergency response information.

KLM 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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