In Brief: FAA Slaps Southwest With $328K in Fines Over 2013 Maintenance Violations

Southwest Airlines is facing a $328,550 fine from the FAA over two incidents where the airline allegedly violated maintenance protocols in 2013. The first incident, which carries a $265,800 fine, occurred on a flight that was en route to St. Louis when it was forced to make an emergency landing in Baltimore due to a loss in cabin pressure. According to the FAA, airline mechanics were to blame for the emergency landing, as they had failed to replace empty oxygen bottles and conduct a proper inspection of the aircraft.

The second incident cited by the FAA, carrying a fine of $62,750, involves a leaky air conditioning unit on a Boeing 717 that Southwest continued to operate after mechanics delayed repairs and failed to properly log the issue.

Southwest has agreed to meet with the FAA to discuss the cases against them.

For more information on this story, visit The Dallas Morning News.