Southwest tried to hide problems
Two Federal Aviation Administration inspectors told CNN that Southwest Airlines tried to hide problems with its maintenance program and pressured the FAA to remove an inspector who noticed the problems. Bobby Boutris and Douglas Peters said they brought information about Southwest’s lack of compliance with mandatory inspection protocols to their supervisors, according to the report, but the FAA did nothing. “My supervisor called me into his office … and told me he had had a meeting with the director of quality assurance and the AD [airworthiness directive] compliance leader from Southwest Airlines, and he had requested my removal from the inspection,” Boutris said. Linda Rutherford, Southwest’s public relations vice president, wouldn’t comment on the inspectors’ allegations. Chairman Herb Kelleher and CEO Gary Kelly were expected to testify Thursday before a House panel that is looking into the issue. Boutris and Peters were also expected to testify. Boutris condemned Southwest’s and the FAA’s behavior. “It is sad that an FAA inspector has to become a whistle blower in order to do his job. And the job is — that we were hired by the taxpayers — to ensure the airlines provide safe transportation for the flying public. It shouldn’t have to come to this.”
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