The FAA must step up its oversight of maintenance at Allegiant Air. A new investigative report released today, December 17, 2019, by the DOT Inspector General’s office is reported to say that FAA inspectors have not “consistently documented risks associated with 36 Allegiant Air in-flight engine shutdowns for its MD-80 fleet or correctly assessed the root cause of maintenance issues.”
The U.S. Transportation Department’s Inspector General, in a 30+page report to be released to the public soon, said FAA inspectors since 2011 have not “consistently documented risks associated with 36 Allegiant Air in-flight engine shutdowns for its MD-80 fleet or correctly assessed the root cause of maintenance issues.” The report also says “in-flight engine shutdowns forced 21 Allegiant aircraft to return or divert to other airports between 2014 and 2018” and the FAA did not appropriately document the engine shutdown risks.
The Inspector General also found “severe violations that represent unacceptable safety risks or could result in catastrophic outcomes should also warrant a more stringent oversight approach,” according to the report which also says, “FAA does not provide inspectors with guidance and comprehensive training” which would allow them to understand whether Allegiant Air had made satisfactory corrective changes.
See the full report here.