FAA proposes $350,000 fine against Lynx Aviation

US FAA proposed a $350,000 civil penalty against Republic Airways Holdings subsidiary Lynx Aviation for allegedly operating a Q400 "when it was not in compliance with federal aviation regulations."

The Frontier Airlines regional affiliate "failed to complete and document required inspections after company mechanics replaced an engine hydraulic pump on April 17, 2010," FAA alleged, noting that the company's general maintenance manual "mandates completion of a post-maintenance inspection and documentation of that inspection before the aircraft is returned to commercial service."

The FAA charged that "Lynx operated the aircraft on 177 revenue passenger flights between the date of the work and May 26, 2010, when an FAA air safety inspector discovered the alleged violations." It pointed out the airline had "four opportunities to detect the missing inspection report and conduct and document the required inspection, but failed to catch the problem through its own safety processes."

Lynx has 30 days to respond to the agency.

Republic had planned to dissolve Lynx by September 2010 (ATW Daily News, Feb. 5, 2010). However, Frontier announced last August that Lynx would continue operations between Denver and three Colorado cities—Aspen, Durango and Colorado Springs— using three Q400s, though this service was expected to end this month. In January, it was announced that Lynx's Q400s would continue to operate indefinitely.