Skydiving Company Lands $664,000 in Fines for FAA Safety Violations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing a $664,000 civil penalty against William C. Dause, doing business as The Parachute Center of Acampo, Calif., for allegedly failing to perform required aircraft parts replacements and failing to comply with safety directives.
“Putting parachutists at risk by neglecting to follow safety procedures is unacceptable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We expect aircraft operators to comply with our safety rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.”
FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated a DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter when critical parts were well past their life limits and without inspecting portions of the wings for corrosion.
In all, FAA alleges that The Parachute Center operated the aircraft on approximately 2,121 flights between March 21, 2008, and Nov. 4, 2009, with elevator control cables that were overdue for replacement and when the plane was not in compliance with Airworthiness Directives requiring visual inspections of the wing main spar, lower spar cap extensions, and wing support strut for possible corrosion.
FAA also alleges that the company operated the aircraft on at least 500 flights between April 16, 2009, and Nov. 4, 2009, with aileron control cables that were overdue for replacement.
“Passengers and crew have to be able to trust that an operator has done the right thing and has complied with all the rules,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Safety and compliance are the right choices, every time.”
According to the company’s website, The Parachute Center offers individual and team skydiving training, and has been in business since 1964.
The Parachute Center has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.