DOT Audits FAA Over United Airlines Maintenance Oversight

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According to the US Department of Transportation, their Inspector General office will officially audit the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of United Airlines’ maintenance practices.

The announcement, made on Thursday by the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG), reveals the agency’s plan to “evaluate FAA’s actions to address maintenance non-compliances and violations at the air carrier.”

This scrutiny is not unprecedented, as the DOT OIG has a history of auditing FAA’s oversight practices with other airlines. Over the last five years, reports and recommendations have been issued concerning Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines. Currently, the office is also reviewing the practices at SkyWest Airlines. The focus on United Airlines follows increased FAA attention after several safety incidents, including flight diversions linked to mechanical issues, emphasizing the critical nature of rigorous maintenance oversight.

In a March statement, the FAA revealed plans to heighten its supervision of United by initiating a formal evaluation to confirm adherence to safety regulations. “Recent safety events with United Airlines—such as flight diversions that can be traced to mechanical problems—serve to remind us that FAA oversight of maintenance programs is paramount,” the DOT OIG reiterated.

The past audits also shed light on previous oversight lapses with other airlines:

In 2020, a DOT OIG report exposed Southwest Airlines’ operation of over 150,000 flights without verifying that necessary maintenance had been completed.
In 2018, the FAA proposed a fine of $3.92 million against Southwest for weight discrepancies on numerous flights in 2018, which was later settled with a $200,000 civil penalty.
In 2021, a report criticzed the the agency’s ineffective oversight at American Airlines. An aircraft was operated for 877 days with a non-functional emergency evacuation slide before the issue was reported to the FAA.