http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/0...faa/index.html
(CNN) -- Federal regulators announced $7.1 million in fines against American Airlines on Thursday over maintenance issues and problems with its drug- and alcohol-testing programs.
"The FAA believes the large total amount of the fine for these violations is appropriate because American Airlines was aware that appropriate repairs were needed, and instead deferred maintenance," the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement announcing the decision. "In intentionally continuing to fly the aircraft, the carrier did not follow important safety regulations intended to protect passengers and crew."
American can still appeal the fines, the FAA said.
There was no immediate reaction from the Chicago-based carrier to Thursday's announcement.
Nearly $4.5 million of the proposed fines stem from American's continued operation of two MD-83 jetliners in December 2007 after pilots reported problems with the autopilot systems, the FAA said.
One of those aircraft flew more than 50 times before the problems were properly diagnosed and even after that, improperly repaired.
Regulators also accuse American of operating planes without timely inspections of their emergency lighting systems and of unspecified "past deficiencies" regarding drug and alcohol testing.