Action Taken to Address Allegations of Unsafe Maintenance Practices at Northwest Airlines

摘要

This report presents the results of our audit of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) actions taken to address allegations of unsafe maintenance practices at Northwest Airlines (Northwest). These allegations were reported by an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (the complainant) assigned to FAAs Northwest Airlines Certificate Management Office (CMO) in Bloomington, Minnesota. The complainant alleged that Northwests actions during the aircraft mechanics strikeinitiated against the airline on August 20, 2005created a public safety risk. Specifically, the complainant alleged that Northwests replacement mechanics and management personnel transferred into maintenance roles were not appropriately trained and that processes involving receipt of aircraft parts were improperly conducted. The complainant contacted then Minnesota Senator Mark Dayton, who requested that FAA and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) evaluate the validity of these allegations.