Government watchdog backs whistle-blower who faulted FAA oversight of American Airlines

Govt watchdog backs FAA whistle-blower

WASHINGTON — Federal officials partially support the account of a whistle-blower who charged that regulators helped American Airlines avoid grounding planes that had improper electrical wiring.

Safety inspector Douglas E. Peters testified before Congress about the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of American in 2008, when problems were spotted with the way electrical wires were secured on the airline’s MD-80 aircraft. He said his bosses helped American keep using planes that didn’t meet safety standards.

Documents released Thursday indicated that the Transportation Department’s inspector general agreed with Peters that American was violating federal standards.

The inspector general concluded that FAA was within its power to let American keep using the jets while it sought a second opinion about the wiring. But it said the decision created the perception that the FAA was helping American avoid grounding planes.

The report was released Thursday by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, a federal agency that investigates whistle-blower complaints. The counsel said it found the inspector general’s report “reasonable,” and forwarded it to the White House and Congress.

The FAA is considering a fine against American that could run into millions of dollars, according to government officials familiar with an ongoing investigation.

American officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday. They have said safety was not jeopardized and that the violations dealt with improper spacing of clamps used to secure wires.