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FAA Proposes $204,050 Civil Penalty Against Sierra Academy of Aeronautics
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $204,050 civil penalty against Sierra Academy of Aeronautics of Atwater, Calif., for allegedly operating nine Cessna 152 airplanes when they were not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.
The FAA alleges Sierra mechanics failed to inspect the planes’ seat locking pins according to the requirements of an Airworthiness Directive (AD). The FAA issued the AD following reports of seats slipping when a latch pin was not properly engaged, which could lead to the pilot losing control of the airplane.
Sierra allegedly operated the nine aircraft on a total of 358 flights, including instruction and rental flights, when they had not been properly inspected. The FAA also alleges Sierra improperly recorded a maintenance log entry for one of the aircraft.
Sierra has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency.