Aui-13;2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023148158 T-408 P.001/009 .~~~C~f~U~~ •w•wo 

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U.S. Department 

Of Transportation 

Federal Aviatlon 

Administration 

Office of Regional Cou.nsel 

August 91 2012 

Northwest Mountai'P Region 

Colorado, ldahoD Montan~ 

Oregon, Utah~ Washingto11D 

Wyoming . 

160i Lind Avenue S.W. 

Renton~ Washington '98057 

Tel: (425) 227-21.61 

Fax: (425) ~27-1007 

JEF.f'REY.HARPER@PAA,GOV 

VIA FACSIMILE AND CERTIFIED MAlL~ RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

Attn:. Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Heartng Docket 

Federal A via.tion Administration. 

(WUbur Wright Bldg -- Room 2Wl 000) cr 

F-778 

800 lndependenc~ Aven~e S.W. . 

.Washington, D.C. 20591 FomS OLCtt:).-b 4 FAA ~Of~·Prt.DI\"c.f{> ... (0).01f<r 

Re: In the 'M.attcr of SkyWest Airlines, FAA Case No. 2011NM060038 

Enclosed is an original and one copy of a request fol' hearing and Complaint in the above" 

referenced proceeding. · 

The Federal Avi.ation Administration (FAA) requests that t11e hearing in this matter be held in Salt 

Lake City, Utah, and expects that 'the ilL:Jari11g wdltast one (1) day. 

For scheduling purposes~ FAA Attal"ney, Je:f.f.tey Harper will be 1.1navailable due to military duty an 

September 7 .. 10~ Octob~r 12~15, November 2·5. and November 3l·Decembet· 3, 2012. 

Pleasfl address a.U com.rnunications for the FAA to the t.mdersigned at: 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Northwest Mountain Region~ ANM-7 

1601 Lind Avenue S.W. 

RentOn, Washington 98057 

Telephone: (425) 2'27-2161 

F. .AX: (425) ~27-1007 

Sincerely, 

141-,~ J .M. l-la.rper · 

FAA Attorney 

JMH/ds 

Enclosures: Request for Hearing (Appeal) 

Complaint 

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Aui-13-2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.002/009 F-778 

1 

2 

JEFFREY HARPER. 

FAA Ol'F'ICF. OF JU;GIONAL COUNSJ::l.. 

3 1601 LrND AVE., SW 

RENTON, WASH!NO'I'ON 98057 

TE.LEPHONS: ( 425) 227-::U 61 

FACSlMU:e; (425) 227-1007 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

OFFICE OF HEARINGS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. ;\,:1.. 

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In the Matter of: FAA Case No. 2.011NM060038 

SkyWest Airline~ · Judge Not Assigned 

JUDGE NOT ASSlONED: 

~OM.PLAl~T 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), by counsel~ hereby tiles its Complaint, 

pursuant to Rule 208 of the Rules of Practice (14 Code ofFedera\ RegulatioltS (C.F.R.) Section 

13.208), and states as follows: 

T. 

37 On July 26, 20121 Sky West Airlines~ Inc., was advised tlrre\ugh a Final Notice of 

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Proposed Civil Penalty that the FAA proposed to w;sess a. civil penalty ' in the amount of . 

$160,000. On A1.1gust 8, 2012, Sky West Airlines, Inc., tbtough legal counsel~ submitted a 'Wl'i.tten I 

:reques1; for a bearing. 

TT. 

451 1. SkyWestA:lrlines (SkyWest) is now and was at a.ll times material bereit1. the holde1" of 

Scheduled Air Carrier Certificate No. SWIA011A, and conducts its operations pursuant 

to Part 121 ofthe Fedetsl Aviation Regulations (FAR)- ijO 

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COMPLAlNT 

'PM v, SkyWcst AirHne.c;, ln.::. 

'i!AA Ca.')c= N~1, :Z0111'!M06003S 

l~a~e2 QfS 

JBlW~a'i M, H~ FAAI\TTORNEY 

TBL: 425.227.141'1~ FAX; 42S.~27.l007 
Aua-13-2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.003/ooe F-778 ~a~~~~~~~L -~·-· ·----·--~· 

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Paragraph DOSS ofSkyWest's Operations Specifications (OpSpccs) authorizes SkyWest 

to use N465 SW, a Bombardier CL.-600·23 19 c\vl.l aircraft, in the conduct of Sky West's 

Part l. 21 operations. 

Paragraph 0085 of Sky West's OpSpees authorizes SkyWest to use N614SKa a 

Bombardier CL·600-2Cl 0 civil aircraft) in the conduct of Sky West's Part 121 operations. 

Paragraph 0085 ofSkyWest~s OpSpecs authmizes Sky West to use ~800SK. a. 

Bombardier CL-600.-2D24 civil aitc:ra:ft, in the conduct of Sky West's Part 121 operations. 

Paragraph DOSS ofSkyWest~s OpSpccs authori~s SkyWest to use N816SK, a 

Bombardier CL-600-20:2.4 civil aircraft, i11 the conduct ofSkyWest's Part 121 operations. 

Paragraph A098 of Sky West's OpSpecs requites that aircraft loading for Bombatdier 

CL-600 .. 2'619 and Bombardier CL·600-2CJ.O.airoraft be accomplished in accordance with 

Sky West's Weight & Balance Operation$ M.anual1 SP4100, Pert XII, revision Orig oft 

APR 10 with temporazy revisions dated 18 OCT 10 and 1~ FEB t t (W&B Manual). 

Paragraph A099 ofSkyWest,s OpSpecs requires that aircraft loading for Bombardier 

CL·6QQ .. 2D24 ai:rcraft be accomplished in accordance with Sky West's W&B Manual. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual conta.it1S the loading schedules and instructions for Sky,West's 

Bombardier CL·600-2B 19 aircraft. 

SkyWest,s W&B Manual contains the loading schedules and instructions for SkyWest's 

Bomba:rdicr CL·600-2C 10 aircraft. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual contains the loading schedules and instructions for SkyWest's 

Bombardier CL .. 600-2D24 aircl'aft. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual, Chapter. 2, paragraph 2.A.6 defines .. Cargo" as everything 

can-led in th~:: cargo binlpl.t of the aircraft, including baggage,. cargo, ballaa~ company 

material (COMAT) and live animals. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual, C~apter 2, paragraph 2.A.24 defines "Heavy Checked Bags .. as 

any bag weighing more than SO pounds, but less than 100 pounds. 

Sky West's W&B Manuai, Chapter 3, paragraph 2.0.1 requires a "designated CS Ground 

Operations loading agent'1 to evaluate the classif.ioa:tlon of bags and to mark the number 

of standard and heavy bags on the Cargo Load Report (CLR.). 

SkyWcst•s W~:S Manual, Cha.ptet 31 paragraph 2.1.2 requires the designated loading 

agent to verifY the piece coutlt of all Standard Checkedt Hea"'Y Checked~ and plsneside 

Loaded/Service Item Baggage~ end to verifY the aetual weight for all. ca:go, COMAT 

COMPl-AINT JBPPR.'E!YM, !·l'ARf'~ FAA.AIT~NBY 

'ffil.: 42.5,:Z:Z7,1417: FAX: 425.227.1007 PAA v. Sk:yWea~ A\rline11. lnc, 

FAA CQSe 'J'Jo, :iUll NMOt)QOJ8 

'Paga 5 of 8 
Aui-13-2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.004/009 F-778 tJt:lf tJ..If .c.w.a..~ .......... • ·---··· .. 

l. (Company Material), COMAJL (Company Mail), and all other items loaded in the aircraft 

2 cargo bin/pit upon completion of loading. 3 

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SkyWest1s W&B Manual) Chapter 41 paragraph 4.A.2, assigns l~ve animals checked as 

bag.gage a 30 pound weight~ or 60 pounds tor those meeting heavy baggage c~teria.. 

Sk)rWest's W&B Manual~ Chapter 4, paragraph 8.8 requi~es the Ioadit1g agent to write the 

total number of Standard Checked Bagga.gc loaded in each caTgo bin on. tl1.e CLR ili the 

~·standard Checkcd1

' block. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual, Chapter 4, paragraph 8.9 requites the loading agent to Mite the 

total number of Heavy Checked Baggage loaded in each ci.U'go bin on the CLR in the 

"Heavy Checked•' block. 

SkyWest,s W&B Manual, Chapter 41 paragraph 8,15 requites the loading agent to write 

the total weight of ballast loaded in the aircraft on the CLR in the uBallast" block. 

SkyWest's W&B Manual, Chapter 4, paragraph 8.26 requires the loading agent to circle 

FWD 01." AFT as appropriate on the 1'Live Al1ima1" line of. the cr..R to indioa.te a live 

animal .has been load.ed on the aircraft. 

SkyWcst~s W&B Manual, Chapter 4> paragraph 11- Aircraft Loading~ contain.s the 

warning: 

~W ARNJNG- INACCURATE LOADINGt REPORTING, OR 

FAILURE TO REPORT INFORMATION COULD CAUSE 

ISSUES WITH AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND HANDLING~ RESULTING IN THE ENDANGERMENT OF 

HUMAN LIFE. 

Ill. 

36 21. On March 3. 2011~ at San Diego Intemati.onal Airport (SAN), San Diegoa Ca1iforniEI1 

SkyWest loaded passengers and baggage onto NSOOSK. to be operated as Flight 4553 

bound for Salt Lake City Intet"national Airport (SLC), Salt L~ City,, Utah. 

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SkyWcst•s perso1111el at SAN loaded 43 Standard Checked Bags~ three Ht:la.vy Cbecked 

Bags, an.d one live animal onto NBOOSI<. 

The CLR for Flight 4553 listed '~46 Standard .Cheeked Bags, o Heavy Checked Baga, and 

0 Uve animals'' on board NSOOSK. 

SkyWest thereafter operated. NSOOSK as Flight 4!''3 to SLC. 

lV. 

COMPLAINT .Tro>FIU!V M. H .... !\T'BR, 1,7 AA. A.'ITO~Y 

TEL:.cl.25.227. 1417; FAX: 425,227,1007 FAA. v. SlcyW~st Ail'lin¢$, fnc. 

FAA CS~tle No. 201 lNMOI!i0033 

Pag.e4 of8 · 
Aua-13-ZOlZ 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +91ZOZ3146158 T-406 P.005/009 F-778 

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On March 3, 2011, at Phoenix Sky Harbor lnternati\)nal Airport (PBX), Phoenix, Arlzon~ Sky West loaded passe:n.gers and. baggage onto N614SI<? to be operated as Flight· 

4445 bound for SLC . 

SkyWest's personnel at PHX loaded 43 Standar.d Checked Bags and U'll'ee Hcu:1.vy 

Checked Bags onto N614SK. 

The CLR for Flight 4445 listed. "46 Standard Checked Bags" and no Heavy Checked 

'BagS11 onboard N614SK. 

SkyWest thereafter operated N614SK as Flight 444S to SLC .. 

v. 

On March 3, 2011, at l.Vfissoulm. International Airport (MSO), Missoula~ Montana, 

Sky West loaded passengers and baggage onto N465SW, to be operated as Flight4540 

bound for SLC. 

SkyWest~s peTsonnel a.t MSO loaded 250 pounds of ballast and 100 pounds ofCOMAT 

onboaxd N465SW. · 

The CLR for FUght 4540 Hsted. 350 pounds ofCOMATonboard N614SK. 

SkyWest thereafter operated N465SW as Flight 4540 to SLC. 

VI. 

On March 3, 2011~ at Eppley Airfield. (OMA). Omaha, Nebraska, SkyWest loaded. 

passengers and baggage onto N816SK, to be operated as Flight 4613 bound for SLC. 

SkyWeat's personnel at OMA loaded two live animals onboa.rd N816SK. 

The CLR ·for Flight 4613 ljsted ~'olive animalsl' on board. N816SK. 

SkyWcst thereafter operated N816S.K as Flight 4513 to SLC. 

VII. 

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37. Sky West has paid civil penalties in eight previous cases involving loading of cargo 

.contrary to approved procedures .. 

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VIII. 

By reason of the foregoing facts and circumstances, Sky West violated the following sections of 

the Federal Aviation Regula.ticna (14 C.F.R.): 

COM'Pt.AfNT 

FAA v. S1<.yWcst Alrlints, Inc. 

PM Case No. 2011NM060038 

PageS ota 

.T~'I'l"ll.'lW M. rl.ARP!'!R, FAA A'M'OR'Nr.V 

l"'RJ .• : 42.5,227,\417: FAX: 425.22.7.1007' 
Aui-13-2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.006/009 F-778 

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a. Sectio11 119,S(g), in that~ as a direct ah· ca.trler, it operated in violation of an 

af!propriate operations specification. 

b. Section 119.S(l). in that i.t operated aircraft under Part 121 in violation ofits 

operations specitioa.tions, 

c. , Section 121.693 (a),in that it ,opera.t;d :flights without a load man.ifest that accurately 

reflected the weight of the ea.'t'go and baggage. 

d. Section 121.693(c), \n tbat it operated flights when t11e total weigbt of the aircraft was 

not computed under approved procedures. . 

e. Section 12L693(d)~ in that it operated tlight5 when the ai1'craft was not loaded 

according to an approved sohedule. 

In accordanct:~ with Sections 46301(a) and (d) of Title 49 of the United States Code 

(U.S.C.) (Transportation) [49 U.S.C. Sections 4630l(a) m1d (d)], SkyWest is liable for a civil 

penalty not to exoead $2 7 ,sao for each of the violations p.oted, . 

as 3. 

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Under the facts and circumstances of this case~ a civil penalty of $160;000 is appropriate. 

. . 27 WHEREFORE~ the Agency, by counsel, respectfully requests that the Admin.istta:tive 

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Law Judge enter an orderthe.t SkyWestbe.e.ssessed a ci.vil penalty il1. the amount of$1.60,000. 

Respectfully submitted this 9t11 day of Augustt 2012. 

)effrey M.liarpet FAA Attorney 

COMPLAINT 

FAA v. SkyWe:stAlrlines, Ina. 

f'M Cese No. 201lNM060038 

Pagc6 ofB 

JlSI'l'litEV M. 1·11\Fi~RI\, FAA A.uatu-mv 

'T:EL: 425.227, 14l7; FAX: 42!!.2.27.1007 
Aui-13-2012 09:08am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.007/009 F-778 • ~~~~~~~0~~ ~~·~· 

:L .AN~WE.R 

2 3 In accordance with Section 13.209 of the l"'ederal Aviation Regulations, Sl,yWest Airlines, lnc.~ 4 must answel' this Complaint not latr:r than thirty (30) days from the time it is served on it. Failure 

s to file an Answer witlnn tbirty (30) days with01.tt good cause shall be deemed an admission of the 

s truth of each allegation contained in the Complaint [14.C.F.R. Section 13.209(±)]. 

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COMPLAINT 

FAA v. SkyWClit Alr'llnes, tnc. 

FAA Case No. 2tlliNM06C038 

I~I!IQe 7 ofS 

.f:eu.1'R.EVM. HAkl'Bit, F'AA A.T'TOf.l..mY 

TEL: .c12S,227.1417: F'AX: 425.227.1001 
Aui-13-2012 09:09am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC +912023146158 T-406 P.008/009 F-778 

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I hereby certifY that the foregoing Comp.laint haR been. served via. facsimile a.n4 certified mwl -

Return Receipt Requested this date, to the following: 0 

Federal Aviation Adm;nisttation (Original and one copy) 

800 Independence·Avenue SW 

WashingtonD D.C. 20591 

Atln: Heari11g Docket Cl.erk, AGC-430 

Wilbur Wright Building- Suite 2Wl 000 

Fax: (202) 493-5142 

Todd Emerson, Esq. 

Sky West AhUnes 

444 S. Rive:r Roaod. 

St. George, UT 84 790 

TEL: (435) 634 .. 3530 

FAX: (435) 634 .. 3505 

Dated this 9th day of Ausust, 2012. 

COMPLAINT 

Office o Regional Counsel (ANM-7) 

Federal Aviation Administration 

1601 Lind Ave. SW 

Renton, WA 98057 

(425) 227-21"64 

FAA""· S~W~:~st A.irlincs.lnc. 

FAA Case No. 2011NM060038 

PIISO 8 (Jffl 

Jru'l'Jt.!!V M. HAllT'P.~. PMATl'ORN!aY 

TEL: 425.227.14171 FAX: 425.227.1007 
Aui-13-2012 09:09am From-NTSB JUDGES OFFICE WASHINGTON DC t:ltll~':l(.o:;l:.I.L..:. ........... ··----·---· 

08/0B/2012 11:28 !i'A.X. 4:i56343iiDS 'PEOJ?l,.'a: 

Din::at Dial: 435,634,3530 

Direct Pnx.: 435.634.3.505 ~mail: tt~mcrsan@!!lsyw.:fi.totUn 

'; ... 

YJA F.JtDERAL EXPRESS 

Federal Aviatio11 Administration 

Augusts. 2012 

ATTN: Hearil1g Docket Clerk, AOC-430 

Wilbur Wright Building- Snite 2Wl 000 

800 Independence Avenue SW 

WJ3.5hington, DC 20591 

Re: Case No. 2011NM060038 

Dear Sir/Madam: 

+912023146158 T-406 P.009/009 F-778 ~Ulll!i 

The Final N oticc of Proposed Civil ·Penalty in the above. referenced case was 

rec"ived in our office on July 30, 2012. 

Putsuant to § 1.3.16 (e) (2) (ii) of Federal Air Regulations, SkyWest Airlines hereby 

requests a hearing on this matter. 

~~6~ Todd C. Emerson 

Director- Government and Legal Af.faix& 

TCE/jb 

cc: Jeffrey M. Ha:rper 

444 South River Road .~· 5'1;. Gecr~co. Utah 847\110 1.-' Phone 435.(594..3000 ,!> www.akywe~t:.ccm