FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 31, 2000

Contact: Roland Herwig

Phone: 405-954-7500

FAA Proposes $70,000 Fine Against US Airways for Hazardous Materials Violations

FORT WORTH -- The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to assess a $70,000 civil penalty against US Airways, for improperly accepting and transporting hazardous materials in violation of the Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations. The FAA alleges that a US Airways ticket agent noted a red 33-ounce bottle of camp stove fuel (white gas) in an outside mesh pocket on a passenger's checked luggage back pack, but did not recognize it as hazardous material, nor did the agent attempt to determine if it was hazardous material. The backpack was transported on a three-leg flight between Ithaca, New York and Albuquerque, N.M. The bottle was discovered leaking in the backpack by baggage handlers in Albuquerque and reported to the FAA.

FAA alleges US Airways accepted hazardous material for transportation that was not properly classed, described packaged, marked, labeled or in condition for shipment aboard an aircraft in commerce within the United States. Further that US Airways did not give the pilot-in-command information about the shipment. US Airways has 30 days from receipt of the enforcement letter to respond to the agency.

Announcement of the proposed civil penalty is made in accordance with FAA's policy of releasing information to the public on newly issued enforcement actions in cases that involve penalties of $50,000 or more.

--This story is posted courtesy FAA

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