The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is increasing its oversight of United Airlines due to a string of safety incidents that the carrier experienced in March. United’s vice president of corporate safety, Sasha Johnson, informed the staff in an internal memo that the FAA will be reviewing the carrier’s work processes, manuals, and procedures to ensure safety compliance. The FAA will also pause various certification processes for United during this time to closely monitor all aspects of the airline’s operation. Specific details about which certification processes will be halted are unclear, but the FAA has mentioned that future projects might be delayed based on their findings.
Reports from Bloomberg and CBS News indicated that the FAA might consider barring United from introducing new routes, new planes into revenue service, or certifying new captains until further oversight is completed. The FAA aims to evaluate United Airlines under the Certification Holder Evaluation Process to ensure compliance with safety regulations, identification of hazards, risk mitigation, and effective safety management. This increased oversight comes in response to several safety incidents that United experienced in March, including an external panel falling off a Boeing 737-800, an engine emitting flames on a Boeing 737-900ER, a 737 Max sliding off the runway, and a Boeing 777 losing a wheel during takeoff.
FAA chief Mike Whitaker mentioned in an interview with NBC News that he spoke with United CEO Scott Kirby after the incident in Medford, Oregon, and will be investigating each of the incidents to identify any patterns. Kirby addressed the safety incidents in a letter to customers, emphasizing that safety is the airline’s highest priority. He also mentioned that United would be reviewing its safety training procedures, including providing additional training for pilots and implementing a centralized training curriculum for maintenance technicians. Despite being unrelated, the recent incidents have prompted United to focus on enhancing safety measures and procedures throughout the airline.
The FAA has emphasized that its safety assurance system regularly monitors all aspects of an airline’s operation to ensure compliance with regulations and effective safety management. While certification activities in progress may continue, future projects for United may be delayed based on findings from the oversight review. The FAA’s evaluation of United under the Certification Holder Evaluation Process will provide additional insights into the airline’s safety practices. This increased oversight and evaluation are necessary steps to ensure that United Airlines is compliant with safety regulations, identifies hazards, mitigates risk, and effectively manages safety within its operations.
United’s focus on safety training and procedures, as highlighted by CEO Scott Kirby, reflects the airline’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its passengers and employees. The internal memo circulated by Sasha Johnson and the subsequent steps taken by the FAA demonstrate a collaborative effort to enhance safety practices within United Airlines. By reviewing work processes, manuals, and procedures, as well as pausing certification processes, the FAA and United are working together to address safety concerns and improve overall safety compliance within the airline. This joint effort will contribute to a safer and more secure environment for passengers flying with United Airlines.
