Hawaiian Airlines failed to adequately inspect one of its aircraft for over eight years, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
FAA officials said the airline did not follow a directive passed in July 2000 that ordered inspections of engine thrust reverser components which could cause rapid decompression of the aircraft if faulty.
FAA has proposed to fine the airline almost $548,000.
A FAA inspection in 2012 found that according to Hawaiian Airlines’ internal records, the Honolulu-based carrier wrongly believed the directive did not apply to the aircraft, a Boeing 767-300, which flew 5,000 flights between 2004 and 2012 while it was out of compliance.
The agency also said Hawaiian flew the aircraft on 14 passenger flights even after FAA officials notified the carrier about the directive, and that it failed to keep records.
The airline has made no comment on the allegations but has asked for a meeting with FAA officials to discuss the findings.
