The simmering distrust between Southwest Airlines management and its mechanics prompted scrutiny from Federal Aviation Administration months ago, fearing it could impact safety standards.
A FAA investigation was started last year after whistleblower complaints alleging management had applied pressure to prevent maintenance workers from reporting mechanical issues.
The investigation ultimately concluded no FAA safety rules were broken but found the airline’s treatment of mechanics after reporting faults was ‘a tool used to influence a relaxing of standards, to look the other way.’
At least 10 mechanics in Dallas and Los Angeles said the airline discouraged the reporting of safety issues.
A FAA report published last year stated: "The result of this pattern is a capitulation of airworthiness and a culture of fear and retribution. Some personnel have resorted to photographing their findings … as a tool to ensure they can prove what they discovered in the event they are questioned by management."
The FAA findings came six months before an engine exploded on a Southwest flight last month resulting in the first air accident fatality in the US for nine years.
"Southwest’s culture of safety does not align with the comments made by the individual FAA employee who conducted the investigation. Nothing is more important in our business than safety and, as such, compliance is always our theme," the airline said in a response to NBC.
