08/11/201 1 lG-3 2 FA X 202493514 2 U,'/'^'^/2t3l l 10:3 7 9072712e& O FA A - DM S

FA A laOOl/Ol O PAG E 91/1 0 

### FEDERA LAVlATTO N ADMINISTRATIO N

Alaska n Regio n Offic e o f th e Regiona l Counse l 11 1 Wes t

Sevent h Avenue , Bo x 1 4 Anchorage , Alask a9951 3 PH : (907 ) 271-526 9 FAX : (907 ) 271-280 0 

# FACSIMIL E TRANSMISSIO N COVE RSHEE T TO : Judg e Richar dC Goodwi n Pocke t CUr k FROM : Crai g Wm . Black , Esq .

FA X No : (2W)36G-753t

i (202 ) 493-502 0 RE : Smit h Cabl e Systems , Inc . FAA Docke t

No . CPO9ALO01 2 DM S No . FAA-2009-097 6

Numbe r o f page s (no t

includin g thi s cove r

sheet) : - 9 - Administrator'j Respons e T o Smit h Cable' s Closin g Argumen t

T'l n Inranntr^T i ccruii ^ i n '.bv

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ani l rvrur o i m[iri(?n] | tntuig e u mn i il « ikrrr r •<ibe » ' dch ; U S . Faiu l Vci^Pc r- QM S (^002/01 0 08/11/201 1 1G:3 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A 67/23/201 1 1W:3 7 907271280 0 F6 APAG E 9-^1 0 

### ::rPARi!viENTO r UNITED STATE S DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATIO N

OFFIC E OFHEARING S . _ WASHINGTON . D.C . ''•''• ^ -^ ^ - 2 A H

: 2 3 I N THE MATTE

RO F SNOT H CABL E SYSTEMS , INC . FA A DOCKETNO . CP09AL001 2 (Civi l PcnaU

y Action ) DM S NO . FAA-2009-097 6 

### ADNnNISTRATOR- S RESPONS E T O SMFTH CABLET S CLOSIN G ARGUMEN T L Introduction . Complainant

Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n ("Adminisiraior") . throug h counsel , hereb y respond s t o th e closin g argument s presente db y respondent Smit h Cabl e Systems . Inc . ("Smit h Cable") . I L Discussion . A . Smiti t

Cabl e OfferedHazardou s Material s fo r Shipment B Y Air . Th e fundamenta

l issu e for th e administrativ e la

w judg e to resolv e i s whether Smit h Cabl e offered ha7,ardou s material s for

shipment b y air , the material s i

n thi s cas e bein g tw o cylinder s o f propan e conceale dwithi n apropan e stov e an don e ca n o f spray paint . Th e weight

o f th e evidenc e presente da

i hearing , fairly judged , demonstrate s thai Smit h Cabl e di dprecisel y that . Smit hCable' s tw o crcwmembcrs , ToddLinne an dTomFiaiek , testifie dtha t they purchase dan

d use dasmal l propan e stov e to coo k meal s a s the y lai dcoaxial cabl e throughou t Southeas t

Alaska i n th e summer

andear) y fal

l o f 2003 . Smit

h Cabl e President

Ronal dSmit

h testifie dtha

t i t wa. s not a t all uncommo n fo

r hi s crew s t o hav e propan e stove s o n suc h jobs . Indeed , Mr , Smit h tesiific dtha

t Mr . Linn e an

dMr . Fiale

k ha done o n thi s job . There ca

n b e no question , then , tha t Smit hCabl e ha dpropan e andapropan e .stov e a s it s crew move daroun dSoutheas t Alaska . AlaskaAirline s employee s Stephe n Cam p an dTimothy Coo

k testifie dthat , i

n the cours e of movin g the Smit

h Cabl e shipment

aroim dth e airline' s ram

p i n Ketchikan , th e shipment was disturbed , causin g aclose dpropan e slov e t o tumbl e ou t an dspli t open . I t w-a s a t tha t moment tha t Mr . Cam p discovere dtha

t the close dstov e ha

dconceale dtw o cylinder s of propane , aregulate d material . Upon discoverin g th e propane . Mr . Cam p an dMr . Cook

performe daful

l searc h of

th e Smit hCabl e .sliipmen

r to determin e i

f i t containe dan

y other hazardou s materialii . Durin g their .search , they foundaconceale dca n o f spra y paint , anothe

r regulate dmaterial . Mr . Camp an dMr .08/11/201 1 16:3 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A- Dh S (2)003/01 0 Q7/22/2Q1 1 is;3 7 9072712B0 6 FAAPAG E P3/1 0

Coo k bot h identifie dphoto s o f tw o cylinder s o f

propan e an daca n o f

spra y pain t

a. s fairl y depictin g th e item s the y discovere dconceale dwithi n th e Smit hCabl e shipment . B . Smit hCable' s Defense s ar e Unsupponcd-b v th e Evidenc e o r th e Law . I n it s closing . Smit hCabl e raise s severa l argument s agains t th e violation s an dpenall y sough t b y th e Admini-^trator . Non e o f thes e argument s fin dsuppor t i n th e fact s o r

law . I . Smit hCabl e Offere dHazardou s Motetial s fo r Shipment . Smit hCabl e argue s tha t i t di dno t "present " hazardou s material s fo r shipTnent. ' I

n suppor t o f thi s claim , Smit hCabl e cite s (h e testimon y b y Mr . Linn e an dMr , Fialek , wh o bot htestifie dtha t the y kne w the y coul dno t

shi p propan e b y ai r

an ddi dno t

d o so . an dtha t

the y di dno t

us e ?pra y pain t o n thi s job . Smit hCabl e als o cite s th e testimon y o f it s Anchorage-base dadministrativ e assistan t Anni e AfUsia . wh o arrange dfo r th e shipment . Th e Administrato r

i s burdene di n thi s matte r t o prove , b y apreponderanc e of th e leliable , probative , an dsubstantia l evidence , eac ho f th e element s o f

th e violation. s alleged. " I n thi s matter , ther e i s n o questio n tha t th e testimon y o f

th e Smit hCabl e employee s conflict s wt ± th e tesiinr^ony o f

th e Alask aAirline s eroployec^ . Th e Admimstrativ c La w Judg e mus t weig hthei r testimon y an ddetermin e whic hi s mor e credible . Th e Administrato r

submit s that , o n balance , th e testimon y o f th e Alask aAirline s employee s i s entitle dt o greate r

weight . First , unlik e th e Smit hCabl e employees , th e Alask aAirline s employee s ar e trul y disinterested . Th e Administrato r ha s allege dtha t

Mr . Linn e an dMr . Fiale k ar e th e individual s who . i n th e nam e o f thei r employer , offere dhar^rdou s material s fo r shipmen t b y air . Thei r

performanc e i s at

question , an dth e mer e presenc e o f tha t question , rightl y o r wrongly , provide s the mwit hamotiv e t o dimijni.shthei r mistake s an dtr y t o pi n th e blam e o n others , mos t

notabl y th e unknow n Aer o Service s worke r wh o transporte dth e shipmen t t o Alask a Airlines . Mr . Linn e an dMr , Fiale k wor k i n thi s fiel dan dhav e a n undersrandobl e reaso n t o protec t thei r reputation s a s reliable , law-abidin g worker s wh o won' t expos e thei r

employer s t o rcgulatoi ^ violations . B y contrast , th e Alask aAirline s employee s merel y discovere dth e haiardou: ; material s an d determine dtha t

the y wer e par t

o f th e Smit hCabl e shipment . The y describe di n detai l th e propan e an dho w it

wa s par t o f th e Smit hCabl e shipment , an dho w th e discover y o f th e propan e le dthe m t o fin dth e spra y pain t

conceale ddeepe r

withi n th e shipment . The y hav e n o motiv e t o distor t thei r testimony . Indeed , findin g thes e hazardou s material s likel y complicate dthei r work : the y wer e force dt o conduc t

aful l searc ho f

th e shipment , documen t an dphotograp hthei r

discoveries , repor t th e matte r

t o th e Administrator , b e interviewed , an dultimatel y te.stif y j n thi s proceeding . Mr . Cam p an dMr . Coo k complicate dthei r

workday s b y findin g thes e matetials . Smit hCabl e Clo.sin g Argumen t a t 12-13 . ^ 14C.F.R . 13.223 . ^mrh_QaM<LS^^terns , fnc . DM S No . FAA-2009-097 6 Admimstrato r

. r Rtspons e t o SmithCabl e '. i Clouft ^ Argumen t p^„ ^ -08/11/201 1 16-3 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A^ DM S 2)004/01 0 07/22/201 1 10:3 7 9R727128Q 0 FA APAS E 04/3 0

Th e simpl e trut hher e i s tha t th e Smit hCabl e cre w ha dan inexpensiv e propan e stov e duriti g the u navel s i n Southeas t

Alaska . Afte r

the y wrappe dth e job . the y shippe dthei r gear bac k north . Whil e o n th e loadin g ram p i n K-ctchikan , apropan e stov e an dpropan e of th e .size s an dkind s tha t th e crewmember s sai dthe y ha dbee n usin g wer e discovere di n th e shipment . I

t woul db e nothin g shor t o f fantasti c fo r

thos e peculia r

item s t o b e anythin g othe r tha n th e one s tha t

Smit hCable' s cre w ha dbee n usin g throughou t thei r journey . Les s i s know n abou t

th e spra y pain t

o r wh y it woun du p conceale dwithi n th e Smit hCabl e shipment . Bot hSmit hCabl e employee s testifie dthat , wherea s the y ha dan dLLsc dapropan e stov e o n thi s project , the y d o no t nomiall y us e spra y pain t i n thei r work . (Tr . 414 . 440 1 However , neithe r testifie dtha t

the y di dno t

hav e an y spra y pain t

durin g thei r

travels . I t

ma y wel l b e thai , whil e the y di dno t

nee dan y spra y pain t

fo r thei r work , aca n o f

spra y pain i wa s withthe mi n Ketchika n an dwoun du p bem g include di n th e 1,21 3 poun dshipmen t the y offere dt o Alask a Airlines . Moreover , th e Alask aAirline s employee s wer e unequivoca l i n testifyin g tha t

the y foun daca n o f

spra y pain t

i n th e .shipment

an dphotographe di t

alon g wit hth e propane . O n balance , th e evidenc e an dtestimon y o f ih e Alask aAirline s employee s tha t th e shipmen t containe dbot hpropan e an dspra y pain t .shoul db e afforde dgreate r weight . Smit h Cabl e raise s Ms . Afusia' s apparen t sensitivit y l o hazardou s material s shipmen t issues / apparentl y t

o impl y tha t

he r awarenes s someho w prevente dMr . Linn e an dMr . Fiale k fro m shippin g di e propan e an dth e sipra y pain t b y air . Smit hCabl e als o cite s t o a"memorandutn " sh e prepare dtha t

demonstrate s he r

knowledg e an dconcern. ^ Whil e Ms . Afusi adi dsen da n emai l t o Mr . Linne, ^ tha t

emai l merel y direct s th e cre w t o .*ihi p th e " 4 wheele r

an dga s grill " vi abarg e "t o avoi dproblem s wit hth e hazma t papenA'or

k at th e airport". ^ However , he r emai l i s silen t

o n wha t t o d o wit hpropan e cylinder s o r spra y paint , an di s ultimatel y irrelevan t t o th e qucstioi x o f

wha t Smit h Cabl e ultimatel y include di n th e shipmen t it offere dt o Alask aAirUnes . Smit h Cabl e als o spend s agrea t dea l o f tim e focusin g o n th e complication s tha t th e cre w ha di n tenderin g th e .shipmen t

t o Aer o Service s fo r

deliver y t o Alask aAirline s a s arrange db y Ms . Afusia . However , ther e i s n o evidence , beyon dmer e speculation , tha t Aer o Service s actuall y adulterate dSmit hCable' s shipment . Moreover , th e suggestio n tha t i t di ds o i s trul y incredible . I n essence . Smit hCabl e theorize s that , b y som e incredibl e coincidence . Aer o Sen/ice s someho w adulterate dth e shipmen t b y addin g no t

jus t aca n o f spra y paint , bu t

als o apropan e stov e an d propan e cylinder s o f

atyp e an dkin dtha t

th e cre w acntall y ha dthroughou t thei r journey s i n Southea.s t

Alaska . Commo n sens e hold s tha t almos t certainl y di dno t

occur .

• Significantly , neithe r

crcwmembe r

testifie da s t o whateve r becam e of

th e propan e stov e o r

It. s fuel : on e woul dexpec t

tha t i f the y dispose do f

the ma t som e poin t

the y woul dhav e .s

o testified . ' ^ Smit hCabl e Clo.sin g Argumen t at 12-13 . ^ Id , at 13 . " Smit h Cabl e Exhibi t

A . ' ] ^ Smit hCabl e Closin g Argumen i ai 13 . Smir hCabl e Systems , Inc . ^^ ^ ^^ ^ FAA-2009.091 6 Administrato r

. y Kicspnm e t o SmithCable' s Clo.un s Argutncn i P a6 508/11/201 1 1 6 3 3 FAX 202493514 2 FA A - OM S 0005/01 0 07/22/281 1 10:3 7 9072712800 FA A P^^^ E 35/1 0

2 . SrnU

hCabl e Offere dth e Shipmen t fa r Tran-zporiaiirmhy Ai r

Vi aa n Agent . Aer o Servicer . Smit hCabl e claim s tha t Aer o Services ' work

i n transportin g th e shipmen t fro mMr . Linn e an d Mr . Fiale k

c o Alask aAirline.' ^ i n Ketchika n wa s performe da s a n indcpendci U comracior . no t a n agent . Therefore , Smit hCabl e argues , becaus e Aer o Service s operate da s a n independen t contractor , at^

y resultin g violation s o f

th e HMRs' ' fo r

thi s shipme mcaiit\o t

b e atuributc dt o Smit h Cable,' ° I

n support . Smit hCabl e cite s Husky Corp. . ' ' i n whic hth e Administrato r determine d tha t acompan y tha t

icqucst s anothe r

t o shi p hazardou s material s bu t doc s no t direc t o r specif y th e mean s o f

shipmen t

bear s n o responsibilit y for subseqtien t

violation s o f

th e HMRs . Thi s cas e i s easil y distinguishe dfro mth e fact s i n Husky . I n Husky , th e Administrato r hel dthat , i n orde r t o imput e th e violation.' * t o th e part y wh o request s th e shipment , th e Administrativ e La w Judg e mus t

fin dmor e tha n tha t

th e shippe r

simpl y dispatche dth e material s a t th e requestin g party' s demand . I

n addition , th e Administrativ e Law Judg e mus t als o fin db y apreponderanc e o f th e evidenc e tha t

th e requestin g pan y ha darigh t t o contro l th e mean s b y whic hth e shipmen t wa s transponed . Here . Smit hCabl e sufficientl y directe dan dcontrolle d.^er o Services ' behavio r an dconduc t

i n handlin g th e shipmen t t o rende r

Aer o Service s it s agent . Smit hCable' s directio n i s apparen t fro mMs . Afusia' s tesrimony . Ms . Afusi aestablishe dtha t Smit hCabl e alon e wa s responsibl e fo r th e shipmen t

bein g offere dt o Alask aAirline s o n it s behal f Sh e testifie dtha t

sh e wa s th e Smit hCabl e employe e wh o wa s responsibl e fo r

gettin g al l o f

th e truck s an dequipmen t t o an dfro meac h location . (Tr . 391 ) Wit hregar dt o thi s cre w i n particular , sh e testifie dtha t sh e mad e sur e tha t

ever y tim e ajo b wa s finishin g o r endin g tha t

ihe y wer e gettin g bot hthei r

equipment , th e truck , an dthem.selve s fro mon e locatio n t o th e nex t an d the n I ende du p gettin g the mfro mthei r en dlocatio n bac k

t o Fairbanks . (Tr . 393 ) Whe n th e jo b woun ddow n i n Ketchikan , sh e testifie dtha t sh e arrange dwithAlask aAirline s t o hav e afe w palle u - I believ e i t wa s iw o o r

thre e pallet s o f equipmen t

an dluggag e shippe dbac k vi aairplan e fro mKetchikan . Th e boo mtruc k

alon g withsom e oChe r equipmen t

woul db e goin g o n th e ferr y an d the n th e - th e employee s wer e o n a n Alask aAirline s flight . (Tr . 394-95) . Aske di

f sh e arrange dfor

acompan y t o pic k

u p th e ai i shipment , sh e testifie dabou t he t intimat e Involvemen t

an ddirectio n o f

ever y detail ; 1 did . I - 1 arrange dfo r - I calle dafe w place s an dther e wa s onl y on e plac e i n Ketchika n diat

wa s abl e t o d o tha i an di t wa s Aer l Transportatio n [ believ e i s wha t ii'. s called . Departmen t

o f Transportation' s Hazardou s Material s Regulation s (4 9 CF RPart< i 171-80 ) ("HMRs") . ' " Smit h Cable' s Clo.sin g Argumcr^ t a t 15-16 . " FA A Orde r

No . 3010- 8 (Jun e 16.2010) . Smith C<^dyl

e Sysiemx , Im^

, DM S No , FAA-2009-097 6 Administrator' s Ftespon.s e t o Smit hCabl e s Closinj ^ Argumen t Pag e 4p. , ^ nH Q 0)008/01 0 08/11/201 1 16:3 3 FAX 202493514 2 FA AU" ^ ^ 07/22/201 1 10:3 7 907271230 9 l^- AP E J

Q . An ds o di dyo u mak e - tel l u s what arrangement s yo u mad e wit hthem . A

- I le t the mkno w ho w man y pallet s w e had , th e - th e typ e o f equipmen t

we' d h e moving , an dmad e arrangemem s for the ml o pic k

u p at acertai n tim e whil e th e employee s wer e stil l o n th e groun dan dthe n arrange dfo r Ih e airwa y bil l wit h Alask aAirline s s o tha t the y woul dhav e tha t numbe r an db e abl e t o shi p i t wit hAlask aAirlines . (Tr , 396 ; boldfac e added ) M.S . Afusi aals o testifie dtha t sh e prepare dth e emai l with.shippin g instruction s t o Mr . Fialek.' ' an dcalle dAlask aAirline s t o prepar e th e ai r waybill' " fo r

th e .shipment . (Tr . 396-401 ) Aer o Service s delivere dthi s shipmen t t o Alask aAirline s for

Uansponatio n b y ai r

becmi:^ ^ Smit

h Cabl e col dthe mto . Thi s i s no t acas e lik e Husky , wher e th e putativ e agen t wa s directe dt o shi p • hazardou s material s withou t an y guidanc e a s t o ho w t o d o so . Instead . Smit hCabl e arrange dfo r Alask aAirline s l o fl y th e shipmen t fromKetchika n t o Fairbank s an dhire dAer o Service s merel y t o conve y th e shipme mfro mSmit hCable s cre w t o th e airport . I f thi s cas e concerne dAer o Services ' movement s throug hth e street s of Ketchikan , an dther e wer e rcgulotor y consequence s ro whethe r

Aer o Service s use daflatbe dtnic k o r pane l va n o r

do g sled , the n perhap s Husk y migh t apply , sinc e Aer o Service s chos e ho w th e shipmen t go t t o th e airport . Bu t

thi s cas e i s no t abou t surfac e transponation . I t i s abou t Smit hCable' s independen t decision , fulfille db y Aer o Services , t o hav e th e content s of thi s shipmen t

fly o n .Ma-sk

aAirline s aircraft , Smit hCabl e entirel y dictate dtha t

aspec t o f it s arrangemen t

withAer o Services ; Aer o Sep.'ice s *a s purel y a n agen t followin g orders . Unde r Husky , it

i s entirel y appropriat e fo r aprincipa l suc ha s Smit h Cabl e t o answe r

fo r offerin g undeclare dhazardou s material s fo r transpor t

b y air . 3 . Whethe r

Smit hCabl e Hel dTitl e t o th e Hazardou s Material s i s No t Relevant , Smit hCabl e claim s tha t it mus t b e absolve do f

thes e violation s becaus e th e AdminUlrato r faile d t o prov e tha t

Smit hCabl e owne dth e hazardou s materials . Smit hCabl e furthe r argue s tha t

th e Administrator' s failur e t o ni^quir e Alask aAirline s t o secur e an dpreserv e th e propan e cylinder s an dspra y pain t

prejudice dSmit hCable' s abilit y t o defen dit-sel f t o suc hadegre e tha t

th e Administrativ e Law Judg e shoul dsanctio n di e Administrato r an d'Tm dtha t

di e stov e foun ddi d no t belon g t o Smit hCable. " Non e o f th e violation s allege db y th e Administrato r or e concerne dwit hownershi p o f th e hazardou s material s i n question . Rather , th e questio n i n whethe r

Smit hCabl e offere dth e material s fo r

transportatio n b y air . Here , th e testimon y o f th e wimesses , th e evidence , and . perhap s mos t

directl y o n point , th e photograph s b y th e Alask aAirline s personne l abou t wha t the y discovere dwithi n th e Smiil i Cabl e .shipmen t demonstrat e tha t

Smit hCabl e indee ddi doffe r hazardou s material s fo r

transportatio n b y air . Safet y i n ai r transpor t

i s imperile dt o th e sam e

'

- Smit hCabl e Exhibi t

A . " Smit hCabl e Exhibi t

B . 1 4 Smit hCabl e Clo.sin g Argumen t a t 17-22 . Smir k Cahj e Svsrem.r . Inc . DM S f^o . FAA-2009-097 6 Admini^trolor' s Respons e t o Smit hCable'! ^ Closin g Argumen t Pag e 508/11/201 1 16.3 3 FAX 202493514 2 FA A - DM S gjOOT/Ol O 07/22/201 1 10:3 7 907271280 0 FA A P^G E 97/1 0

degre e n o matte r

wh o own s th e hazardou s materia l improperl y offered : th e questio n o f ovvneishi p i^ irrelevant . Th e Administrato r

i s no t oblige dt o preserv e hazardou s materials , whic hb y definitio n ar e hazardou s an dwarran t

promp t disposal.' " Moreover , Specia l Agen t Jeffre y Deit z sen t

aLette r o f Investigation" * t o Smit hCabl e jus t seve n day s afte r

th e incident , o n Septembe r 17 . 2008 . (Tr . 181) . Suc hletter s ar e deeme dsufficien t t o notif y aresponden t

to , i f it chooses , wor k

t o preserv e evidenc e o f

th e indicate dviolations, " Th e Adminisu-ativ e La w Judg e shoul drcjectihes e contentions . 4 . The Preponderanc e o f th e Evideric e Indicate s Thes e Container s Actuall y Containe dHazardou s Materials . Smit hCabl e argue s tha t th e Administrato r

i s oblige dt o prov e tha t th e tw o propan e cylinder s an d th e spra y pain t

ca n actuall y containe dpropan e an dspra y pain t whe n offered . I

t i s tru e tha t

th e Administrato r

di dno t perfor maforensi c analysi s o f th e propan e cylinder s o r spra y ca n t o determin e tha t

the y di di n fac t

contain , respectively , liquefie dpetroleu mga s o r flammabl e aerosoli^

- However , thi s ca.s e concern s commonl y .soldconsume r items , an dcommo n experienc e tell s tha t whe n the y ar c emptie dthe y ar e disposed , no t retaine dan dshipped , strongl y suggestin g tha t the y stil l containe dusabl e quantitie s o f produc t whe n offered . Moreover , it i s no t a n unsubstantia l effort

t o clea n an dpurg e container s o f thi s natur e suc htha t

the y n o longe r

contai n residtie . Th e logica l infcreuc c i s tha t suc hItems , eve n whe n thei r abilit y t o produc e th e desire d produc t i s eithausted , continu e t o retai n residue . Th e Administrato r ha s carrie dth e burde n o f proving , b y apreponderanc e o f th e evidence , tha t

th e shipmen t

containe dhazardou s material s throug hth e testimon y o f th e Alask aAirline s employee s abou t wha t the y discovere dan dth e photograph s the y took . Moreover , withregar dt o th e propane , bot hMi . Linn e an dMr . Fiale k tcsrifie dtha t

the y occasionall y cooke dmeal s iLSe dapropan e stove , t n ligh t of th e lac k o f an y evidenc e tha t

th e cylinder s o r

ca n wer e i n fac t

Full y an dcompletel y purged , th e Administrativ e la w Judg e shoul dfindtha t th e cylinder s an daeroso l ca n tha t Alask aAirline s discovere dwithi n th e Smit hCabl e shipmen t i n fac t di dcontai n hazardou s materials . 5 . Th e Recommende dSanctio n o f $60,00 0 Shoul dNo t

B e Decreased . A s previousl y se t

fort hb y th e Administrator.' " fai r applicatio n o f

Appendi. v C t o Orde r

2150.3 B indicate s tha t

Smit hCabl e shoul db e assesse dacivi l penalt y o f $60,000 . Th e 9 2 percen t reductio n Smit hCabl e request s (a s lo w a s S5,000 ) i s conu^ar y t o th e sanctio n guidanc e tabl e an d shoul db e rejected .

' ^ Envirosolve . LLC . FA A Docke t No . CP02SW0O2O , 200 6 W L465371 . a t +5- 6 (Feb . 7 , 2006) . ' * Exhibi t C-9 . ' ^ Nichola s J . Wehrle . FA A Orde r No . 07-20 , a

t * 4 (Ma y 22 . 1997) . '•' ' Administrator' s Closin g Brie f a t 9-10 . Smith cabl e Systems , In^ : ^^ ^ Vr . /r^^^ .2009-097 6 Administrator' s Respons e t o SmithCable' s Closin g Argumen t Par e 608/11/201 1 16:3 3 FA X 202493514 2 FA A- OM S (2)008/01 0 07/22/201 1 10:3 7 907271280 0 FA APA6 E 03/1 6

Smit hCabl e argue s tha t additiona l mitigatio n i s warrante dbecaus e i t consider s thes e violation s ii n "isolate devent".'" ^ Thi s i s no t a n i.solate devent . A s Ms . Afusi aindicated . Smit hCabl e di.spatchc s crew s t o job s statewid e o n aregula r basi s an di s accu,stomc dt o shippin g thei r equipmen T an dpersona l effect s fro ms\t e t o site . Fo i Smit hCable , thi ? shipmen t wa s no t isolated , bu t routin e an dcommonl y performed . A violation-fic e histor y i s th e expecte dnor man ddoe s no t o f itsel f requir e mitigation."' ^ Furthermore , th e sanctio n guidanc e tabl e a s writte n presume s firs t tim e offenses : subsequen t offense s trigge r

aggravation. " Smit hCabl e cite s tw o prio r order s i n suppor t

o f it s clai mtha t

it s penall y b e mitigate da s an isolate devent.^ * In bot hWillia mRober t Witt' ' an dDale_Weber . miligario n wa s deeme d warrante dwher e th e shippe r wa s a n individua U no t

abusiness , an dth e shippe r wa s inexperience di n th e transpor t o f hazardou s materials . However , mor e recen t case s demonsTrat c that suc hmitigatio n ji^

i limite dt o shipment s tha t th e shippe r

doc s no t commonl y make . Se e Lambto n Doors " (shippe r ha dneve r

befor e attempte dt o shi p woo dstai n an ddi dno t realiz e it wa s ahazardou s material ; shipmen t wa s therefor e isolate dan dsupporte dmitigation) ; Pgn y Expres s Courie r

Com.'' ^ (n o "isolate devent " mitigatio n wher e th e shipmen t wa s of atyp e routinel y manage db y th e .shipper) . Smit hCabl e als o cite s t o Apoll o A & . H S Co.^ ^ i

n arguin g tha t

it .shoul dno t

b e subjec t

t o multipl e violatio n categorie s fo r wha t it characterize s a s th e singl e offens e o f merel y failin g t o discIo.s e hazardou s materials . I n tha t case , th e Administrativ e La w Judg e determine dtha t assessin g multipl e penaltie s for wha t i s essentiall y on e violatio n i s inappropriat e wher e th e responden t

i s no t i n th e busines s o f

shippin g good s i n ai r

transportatio n an dreadil y admit s t o th e act s compromisin g th e violation.^ ^ In thi s matter , th e Admlnisuato r ha s give n Smit hCabl e th e benefi t o f th e doub t

b y categorizin g i t

a s amer e busines s entit y an dno t on e tha t eithe r use s hazardou s material s i n th e cours e o f it s busines s o r

routinel y ship s haxardou s materials . Th e Administrato r

ha. s no t change dtha t

approac hdespit e th e testimon y o f Ms . Afusi atha t

Smit h Cabl e actuall y i s a n experience dai r transpor t .shipper . Moreover , unlik e th e responden t i n Apollo . Smit hCabl e ha s no t admitte dt o thes e violation s an dha s i n fac t vigorousl y conteste d them . Lastly , multipl e violation s ar e warranie dher e t o distinguis hSmit hCabl e fro mshipper s wh o mak e onl y on e mistake : Smit hCabl e shoul dno t b e assesse dasingl e penalt y lik e ashippe r

'" ^ Smit hCabl e Closin g Argimie mat 23 .

-^ TC I Corp. . FA A Orde r No . 92-77 . 199 2 W L75322 6 a t * 7 (Dec . 21 . 1992 )

- ' Orde r 2150.3B . Appendi x C . a t C-8 . ^ ^ Smit hCabl e Closin g /Argument at 2 3 n.5 . ^• ' FA A Docke t

No . 86-12 1 {Jul y 5 , 1988) . ^ ^ FA A Docke t

No . 86-10 7 (Ma y 25 , 1989) . " FA A Docke t

No . CP00SO00I3 . 200 4 W L116794 0 (Ma y 7 , 2004) .

- " FA A Docke t

No . 89-4.199 3 W L1311906 1 (Sept . 23 , 1993) . ' ^ FA ADocke t No . CP08AL0001 . 200 9 W L 369635 3 (Nov . 4 , 2009) . 

### ^^ld,ai*3 . ^mit h Capt e Systems , fnc . Q^ ^ ^^ , fAA'2009-097 6 Administrator' s Respons e t o Smit hCabl e ' s Clo.sin g Argumen t Pag e 708/11/201 1 1B:3 4 FA X 202493514 2 FA A^OM S ©009/01 0 07/22/201 1 10:3 7 907271280 0 FA Af'^^ E 0^/i a

wh o propert y declares , marks , an dlabel s it s shipment , bu t simpl y fail s t o provid e emergenc y respons e information : i

n thi s case . Smit hCabl e di dnothin g correctly . Moreover , th e propan e tha t Smit hCabl e offere dwa s forbidde n o n passenger-carryin g aircraft . O n balance , th e penalt y tha t th e Administrato r

reque>;t s i s appropriat e an dcoasisten t withapplicabl e guidance . n i . Conclusion . Fo r Lh e reason s presente dherei n an dpreviously , th e administrativ e la w judg e shoul dente r an orde r findin g th e violation s a s allege di n th e complain t an dimpos e a$60,00 0 civi l penalty . DATE D thi s ^^^raS y o f July . 2011 .

HOWAR D L . MARTIN , JR . Regiona l Counse l

i g wm . Attorne y CERTIFICAT E O FSERVIC E Re : Smid i Cabl e Systems , Inc . FA A Docke t

No . CP09AL001 2 DM S No . FAA-2009-097 6 I HEREB Y CERTIF Y tha t o n thi s dal e I hav e serve dacop y of th e foregoin g b y postage-prepaid , certifie dmail , retur n receip t requested , facsimile , an demai l to : Th e Honorabl e Richar dC . Goodwi n Administrativ e La w Judg e Offic e o f Hearings , M-2 0 U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , S.E . Eas t Buildin g Groun dFloor , Roo mEl2-32 0 Washington . D C 2059 0 Fax:(202)366-753 6 Email : Richard.Goodwin@dot.go v I HEREB Y FURTHE RCERTIF Y tha t o n thi s dat e 1 hav e serve dth e origina l an dtw o copie s of th e foregoin g b y po.^tage-prcpaid . certifie dmail , retur n receip t requeste dan dfacsimil e to : Federa l Aviatio n Admini.stratio n Smith C^hl e System s Jnc . DM S No . FAA-2009-097 6 Administrator' s Respofis e t o SmithCable' s Closin g ArRtmj/m r Pa^ e S08/11/201 1 lG-3 4 FAX 202493514 2 FA A - Ohl S 2)010/01 0 07/22/201 1 10 ; 3 7 907271263 0 FA A P-^S E 10/1 0

ATTN : Docke t

Clerk . AGC-43 0 Wilbu r Wrigh t Buildin g - Suit e 2W100 0 80 0 Independenc e Avenue , S W Washington , D C 2059 1 FAX ; (202)493-502 0 I HEREB Y FURTHE RCERTIFY ' tha t o n thi s dat e I hav e ser^'e dcopie s o f th e foregoin g b y postage-prepai dfirst-clas s mai l to : Bren t R . Col e MOrsto o & Cole , PC . 82 1 N Street , Suit e 20 8 Anchorage , A K

9950 1 Fa;c : (907 ) 277-800 2 

## DATED : (2 . ^ . ^. ^ .^^ O f l 

# M ^ '^^^^ ^ 

# j ^ Federa l Aviatio n Administrati o Offic e o f Regiona l Counse l 22 2 Wes t 7t hAvenue , Bo: i 14 , AAL- 7 Anchorage , AK99513-75S 7

Sm}i h(^ilbif i Sj^;ems , Inc . ^^^ ^ ^ ^ FAA-2009-097 6 Admmisirato r

s Respons e t o SmithCable' s Closin g Argumen t Pa^^ . g