Horizon Airlines is facing steep fine by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to an FAA press release, the Seattle-based carrier is looking at a penalty of $1 million for allegedly operating 22 non-regulation compliant planes on revenue flights between December 1, 2007 and June 1, 2011.
FAA officials say that Horizon operated 22 Bombardier DHC-8-402 turboprop aircraft on more than 186,000 revenue flights. The planes were not in compliance with FAA standards due to improper hardware. The FAA claims Horizon installed security flight deck doors on 22 airplanes using blind rivets instead of the required solid ones.
According to the FAA, blind rivets have been known to "damage other components" of a craft, including wiring, and are considered unsafe. The FAA asserts that Horizon was "told the aircraft were not in compliance," but operated the planes regardless. The breach was discovered after a non-revenue Horizon aircraft experienced in-flight wiring damage due to the blind rivets.
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