The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $500,000 fine for SeaPort.
The FAA alleges SeaPort operated three single-engine Cessnas on more than 500 flights when they weren’t airworthy.
Stuart Mike SeaPort Airlines/Flickr
Portland-based SeaPort runs what are known as ‘puddle jumpers’ between towns and larger cities, like Pendleton-to-Portland and El Dorado-to-Houston.
The FAA alleges the company operated three single-engine Cessnas on more than 500 flights when they weren’t airworthy. It said SeaPort didn’t do special inspections of the turbine blades — inspections intended to prevent failures, which in turn could cause an engine to lose power.
Company president Tim Sieber said it was SeaPort that told the FAA about the problem in the first place. “It was an action that was taken by one individual," he said.
"That individual was terminated from the company’s employment and we have changed over our entire maintenance department since then. We’re running a good safe operation today,” Sieber said.
The company has 30 days to respond to the FAA complaint.