The office of inspector general for the department of transportation will audit the Federal Aviation Administration’s inspection of two US carriers.
The unusual move comes after multiple requests from lawmakers to ensure the FAA’s oversight of airlines’ maintenance issues is robust enough.
The DOT will audit the FAA’s oversight of Allegiant Air after fallout from a critical ’60 Minutes’ TV report, which worried Senate Commerce Committee member Bill Nelson.
It will also probe the FAA’s inspection of American Airlines.
"Our objectives now are to assess FAA’s processes for investigating allegations of improper maintenance practices at two carriers, Allegiant Airlines and American Airlines," the Office wrote in a memo.
"The traveling public deserves to know whether the FAA is conducting thorough safety oversight of Allegiant. Anything less could lead to disastrous consequences," Sen. Nelson wrote when voicing concern over Allegiant Air.
"I urge you to specifically review all internal communications between the FAA and Allegiant to ensure that no efforts are being undertaken to impede a full and forthright investigation of the airline’s maintenance and operational issues," he added.
The move comes amid heightened unease over maintenance issues not only from the Allegiant Air expose but also after the recent fatal accident aboard a Southwest Airlines jet.
