Serve dFebruar y 29 . 201 2 MA R* 6 201 2 

# HEARJJV G DOCKE T U.S . DEPARTMEN T O F TRANSPORTATIO N

OFFIC E O F HEARING S WASHINGTON , D.C . I N TH E MATTE RO F g Oklahom aSkydivin g Cente r ^ FAA DOCKE T NO . CP10SW002 0 .-: > 5:^Sp^ , (Civi l Penalt y Action ) - "^P^ ^ DM S No . FAA-2010-121 5 ^-ii^r^. O Agency' s Brie f

o n Propose dFinding s of Fac t an dConclusion s o f

Issu e o f Law ; Closin g an dSummatio n Th e Federal Aviatio n Administratio n (Complainant) , throug h it s undersigne dcounsel , hereb y submit s thi s Brie f

o n Propose dFinding s o f

Fac t an dConclusion s o f

Issu e o f La w fo r th e hearin g hel do n Januar

y 10 , 2012 , befor

e Administrativ e La

w Judg e RichardC . Goodwi n o f th e Departmen t

o f Transportation , i

n Oklahom aCity , Oklahoma . O n Octobe r 21 , 2010 , th e Com

plainan t issue daFina

l Notic e o f

Propose dCivi l Penalt

y agains t Oklahom aSkydivin g Cente r (Respondent ) fo

r violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § § 91.7(a) , 91.405(a) , an d91.13(a ) i

n th e amoun t

o f $8,000 . Rt.'sponden

t requeste dafonnal hearin g an dComplainan t submitte dit s Complain t

o n Novembe r

16 , 2010 . Responden t

submitte dhi s Answe r

Decembe r

I , 2010 . (E.\ . A-l )

1 . ADMITTE D FACT S Oklahom aSkydivin g Cente r wa s th e operato r

o f aCessn aP206 A aircraft , civi l aircraf t N4682F , s(;ria

l numbe r P206-0282 . O

n Jul y 11 . 2009 , Inspector s Lan aWes t (no w Boler ) an

dRober

t Ten- y o f th e Oklahom aCit

y Flight Standard s Distric t

Offic e (OK C FSDO ) perfomie da n inspectio n o f

aircraf t N4682F . A

t th e conclusio n o f

th e FA A inspection , a

n "Aircraf t Conditio n Notice, " FA

A For m8620-1 . (E.xh . A-8 ) wa s issue db y Inspecto r

Wes t listin g th e followin g dis

crepancies :

• Pilo t Sea t stop s d o no t

mee t manufacture r

specification s (bolt s installed )

• Lef t han dftap ha s hol e

• Right handfla p cracke d

• Lef t han dpassenge r

sid e windo w cracke dan dduc t tape d Th e Aircraf

t Conditio n Notic e note dtha t th e item s liste d"are " considere dto b e a n imminen t hazardto safety . Operatio n o f th e aircraf

t prio r to correctio n "will " b e contrary to pertinen t Fed

eral Aviatio n Regulations . A special Flight Permi t "will " b e require dto b e issue dprio r to opera tio n i f correctiv e actio n ha s no

t been taken . Mr . Jac k

Reeve s wa s personall y show n eac h o f th e discrepancie s b

y th e FA A Inspectors , an dhande dth e conditio n notice . Responden t readil y admit s thes e allegations . (E.xh . A-l ) Th e Agency' s Complain t charge s tha

t Oklahom aSkydivin g violate d §^91.7fa)' . 91.405(a) ^ an d91.13(a) ^ o f th e Federal Aviatio n Regulation s (1 4 C.F.R.) . b y oper atin g th e aircraf

t o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , whil e failin g to addres s th e discrepancie s note do n th e aircraf

t conditio n notice , eac h o f

whic h rendere dth e aircraf t unairworth y a s allege di n th e Complaint . Under authority o f

4 9 U.S.C . § 46301(a)(1) . th e civi l penalt y o f $8,00 0 shoul db e sustained .

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a ) prohibit s operatio n of a civi l aircraf t unles s i i i s i n a n airworth y condition . 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.405(a ) obligate s owner s an d operator s l o inspec t an d repai rdiscrepancie s i n accordanc e vvit h 1 4 C.F.R . par

t 4 3 betwee n require d inspections . 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.13(a ) prohibit s careles s o rreckles s operatio n o f a n aircraf t so a s t o endanije rth e lif e o rpropert y o f another . Oklahom a Skydivin g Cente r FAADOCKirrN O C['10SW002 0 DM S No . i-AA-2010-121 5PROPOSE D FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W

Allegation s 1 , I

I (1) . (2) , (4) . (5) , an

d(6 ) containe di

n th e Coinplain t

an dadmitte dto i

n Respondent' s Answe r

are deeme dAdmitted . I L Oklahom aSkydivin g Operate dN4682 F o n Jul y I K 200 9 Respondent' s owner , Mr . Reeves ^ admitte dtha t th e aircraf

t operate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , a s wel l a s th e 12'

^ an d13" \H

e first testifie dtha

t th e aircraf

t operate do

n Jul y 1 L 2009 . (30 ! Tr . 12-17 ) M e testifie dtha

t th e aircraf

t operate d"ahout " 3 5 cycle s ove r tha t weekend ; Saturday an

d Sunday , before he fiew i

t th e followin g Monda

y to get i t repaired . (30 6 Tr . 4-13 ) Mr . Reeve s als o testifie dtha

t " ahundred " peopl e jumpe dou t o f th e airplan e tha

t weekend . (30 6 Tr . 16-19 ) A s allege di

n th e Agency' s Complaint . Inspector s Boler an dTerry testifie dtha

t the y watche dN4682 F tax i b y thei r location ; observe da

t leas t tw o (2 ) skydiver s o n board ; take-off ; th e sk y diver s depar

t th e aircraft ; an dwatche dth e aircraf t descen dan

dlando n Jul y 1 L 2009 . (5 9 Tr . 5-22 ; 6 0 Tr . 1-6 ; 167Tr . 15-22 ; 16 8 Tr . 1-4) . The y recorde dthei r recollection s o f

tha t da y i n thei r Inspector' s Statements . Se e Boler , (2 6 Tr . 6-22 ; 2 7 Tr . 1-20 ) (Exh . A-3 ) Se c Terry , (15 3 Tr . 3-22 ; 154Tr . l-4)(Exh . A-9 )

PROPOSE D FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Oklahom aSkydivin g Operate dN4682 F o n Jul y 11 , 2009 .

Oklahomi i Skydivin g Cente r l-AADOCKi^TN O CP10SW002 0 DM S No . FAA-20I0-!2I 5II L N4682 F wa s unairworth y whe n Oklahom aSkydivin g Operate di t o n Jul y 11 , 200 9 A . Statutor y an dRegulator y basi s fo r Airworthines s Th e FA A ha s astatutory responsibility t o enforc e minimu msafet

y standard s i

n civi l aviation . 4 9 U.S.C . § 44701(a)(1) . A s par t o f thi s endeavor , th e FA

A issue s "typ e certificates " fo r aircraf t "whe n th e Administrato r

finds tha t th e aircraf

t .. . i s properl y designe dan dmanufactured , perform s properly , an dmeet s th e regulation s an dminimu mstandard s prescribed. " 4 9 U.S.C . § 44704(a) ( 1) . Pursuan t t o 1 4 C.F.R . § 21.41 , "[e)ac h typ e certificat e i s considere dt o includ e th e typ e de

sign , th e operatin g limitations , th e certificat e dat asheet , th e applicabl e regulation s . . . an dan y othe r condition s or

limitation s prescribed " fo r th e produc t

or aircraft . I

n sum , atyp e certificat e i s a desig n approva l issue db y th e FA A whe n a n applican t

ha s demonstrate dtha

t aproduc t or aircraf t complie s wit

h th e applicabl e regulations . Andtha t approval i s onl y fo

r th e exac t desig n submitte d to th e FA A fo r atyp e certificate . Th e typ e certificat e i s th e foundatio n fo r other approvals , suc h a s airworthines s approval . Onc e a n aircraf t ha s receive datyp e certificate , an y registere downe r

of aU.S . registere d aircraf t ma y appl y fo

r a n airworthines s certificat e fo r tha t aircraft . 1 4 C.F.R . § 21.173 . Th e FA A issue s a n "airworthines s certificate " fo r a n individual aircraf

t tha t "conform s to it s typ e certificat e and , afte r inspection , i s i

n conditio n fo

r saf e operation, " 4 9 U.S.C . § 44704(d)(1) . Therefore , i n orde r to obtai n a

n airworthines s certificate , a n aircraf t mus t b e bot h i n conformanc e wit

h it s typ e certificat e an

di n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight .

Oklahom a Skydivin g Cenic r l-A A [X>CKI: T N O CPiOSW002 0 DM S No . rAA-2010-121 3B . Airworthines s Cas e law

FA A Inspecto r

Lan aBoler

i s acertificate dAirframe an dPowerplan t Mechani c (A&P ) wit

h 20-years ' experience . Sh e als o hold s a n inspectio n authorizatio n (lA ) whic h sh e ha s hel dfo r 1 3 years . Sh e ha s bee n a

n FA A Airworthines s Inspecto r fo r four-and-a-hal f

years . (2 4 Tr . 10-14 ) Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t a n aircraf t i s "airworthy " onl y whe n i t conform s to it s typ e desig n or it s properl y altere dconditio n an di t mus t als o b e saf

e fo r fight. (6 1 Tr . 11-13 ; 125 Tr . 11-14 ) Respondent' s Exper t Witnes s als o testifie dt o thi s definition . (26 2 Tr . 10-18 ) Thi s air

worthines s tes t

stem s fro mth e abov e statut e an dregulations , a s wel l a s th e followin g cas e law . "Th e airworthines s standar di s clear : 'T o b e airworthy , a n aircraf t must ; (1 ) confor

mto atyp e desig n approve dunder

atyp e certificat e or

supplementa l typ e certificat e an dto applicabl e Air

worthines s Directives ; an d(2 ) b e i n aconditio n fo

r saf e operation.' " Del . Skyway s LLC , FA A Order No . 2005- 6 a

t 2 (Marc h 8 , 2005 ) an dCal . Heliiech , FA A Orde r No , 2000-1 8 a

t 2 n . 7 (Augus t 11 , 2000) . Likewise , when a n aircraf t ha s unresolve ddiscrepancies , i t i s no t airworthy . Inlh e Maile r

o j Genera l Aviaiiot

h FA A OrdQ v No . 1998-1 8 a

t 1 3 (Octobe r

9 . 1998) . Se e also , Emer y Worldwide Airlines , Inc. , FA A Order No . 97-3 0 (Octobe r

8 , 1997) , p . 17 . Thi s is , an dha s bee n fo r many years , th e well-establishe dcriterio n fo r airworthiness . See als o I n ih e Maile r

o f Americ aIVes

i Airlines , FA

A Orde r No . 96- 3 (Feb . 13.1996 ) a t 8,2 9 n . 2 6 an d27 (affirmin g ALJ' s finding tha

t whil e amino r

repai r ma y hav e n o safet

y implications , th e aircraf t i s unairworth y if

. a s aresul t o f th e repair , th e aircraf

t n o longe r

conform s t

o it s typ e design) ; i n ih e Maile r o f USAir , FA A Orde r No . 96-2 5 (Augus t

12 , 1996 ) a

t 11 . Se e als o Adminisiraio r v . Copsey , NTS B Order EA-344 8 a

t 5 (1991 ) (tes t

fo r airworthines s i s no t

"fiyabiiity" ; th e aircraf

t mus t b e i n conformanc e wit h it s typ e certificat e aridi n conditio n fo

r saf e fiight).

Oklahom aSkydivin g Cenier l-A A OOCKL T NO.'CPIOSWOOI O DM S N o I-AA.20IO-I2J 5I

n th e appeal o f

I n ih e Maile r

o f Americ aWes

l Airlines , FA

A Orde r No . 96-3 , 1 3 (Feb . 13 , 1996) , th e Administrato r

foun da n aircraf t unairworth y wher e spee dtap e (a s oppose dto a n ap prove dsealan t

or a"fius h plu g patch" ) wa s use dl o make repairs , not i n accordanc e wit

h th e Structural Repai r

Manual (SRM) . Th e Administrato r foun dtha t eve n where th e Complainan t di d no t introduc e a s evidenc e th e actual typ e certificate , i t wa s clear tha t spee dtap e wa s not

i n con formanc e wit

h th e aircraft' s typ e certificat e a s i t wa s no t apar t o f th e original , approve dconditio n o f th e aircraf

t o r a n approve drepair . Id . Th e Administrato r stated : "Althoug h Complainan t

di dno t introduc e th e typ e designs , ther e wa s ampl e evi

dence , nonetheless , tha

t th e aircraft , wit

h thi s damag e an dthes e temporary 'repairs ' were n o longer

i n conformanc e wit

h thei r typ e designs . Inspector s Sebrin g an d Kensch e testifie dtha

t th e aircraf

t wer e n o longer

i n thei r origina l or

properl y al

tere dconditions , (citatio n omitted) . . . . Also , Mr . Bororwsk i testified , i

n effect , tha t th e spee dtap e wa s not

include di

n th e typ e design s o f

th e aircraft , (citatio n omitted ) ... . |T]h e aircraft , wit h th e delaminatio n or

hol e an dwit

h spee dtap e re pairs , n o longer

conforme dt o thei r

origina l typ e designs. " Id . a t 13 . I n Americ aWes

l Airlines , th e AL

J ha dfoun dtha t whil e aminor , temporary repai r usin g spee dtap e ma

y no t hav e hadextrem e safet

y implications , i

t stil l make s th e aircraf

t unairworth y if

, a s aresul t o f th e repai r

th e aircraf

t n o longe r

conform s to it s typ e design . Id . a t 8 . Th e Adminis

trato r affirme dth e ALJ' s finding o f operatio n o f

a n unairworth y aircraf

t becaus e th e aircraft , wit

h spee dtap e temporaril y coverin g certai n discrepancies , di dno t meet th e two-pron g airworthines s tes t o f conformin g to atyp e certificat e an dbein g i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. Id . a

t 13 . Althoug h before th e Nationa l Transportatio n Safely Boar d(NTSB ) an dnot

th e Depanmen t o f Transportation . Adminisiraio r v . Fosler , 200 4 W

L 179534 1 (Jun e 29 , 2004) , appea l dismissed , NTS B Order

No . EA-511 2 (2004) , i s acomparabl e an dpersuasiv e cas e to th e on e a t hand . I n Fosier , amodificatio n wa s mad e to a n aircraft' s fue

l cap . Fosier , 200 4 W

L 179534 1 a

t 1 . Th e

Oklahom a Skydivin g Ccnie r KA A DOCKII T N O CP10SW002 0 DM S N o [••AA-20I0-I2i 5Administrativ e La w Judg e foun

dtha t suc h afue

l ca p "modificatio n i s outsid e th e typ e desig n fo r thi s aircraft . I

t wa s don e b y someon e wh o i s not a n A& P mechanic , s o a s amatte r o f law , i t i s unairworthy . Th e modificatio n a s amatte r o f law i s unairworthy . I

t doe s not meet it s typ e desig n certificat e - th e fue

l cap . I t ha s been changed , an dunles s i t ha s been change dan dapprove dan d accepted , i

t i s unairworthy. " Id . a

t 2 . Therefore , th e Judg e foun daviolatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a ) whe n th e aircraf

t i n Fosie r wa s operate dwit

h amodificatio n to th e fue l ca p tha t wa s no t par t o f th e typ e certificate . Id . a

t 3 . I . N4682 F wa s unairworth y whil e duc t tap e wa s place dove r

it s broke n lef t windo w an doperatio n i n this conditio n violate s 1 4 C.F.K . 91.7(a) . O n Jul y 11 . 2009 , Responden t Oklahom aSkydivin g operate dN4682 F i n a n unairworth y conditio n o

n a t leas t on e (1 ) passenge r

carryin g fiight, i

n violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Sectio n 91.7(a ) provide s tha

t n o perso n ma

y operat e acivi l aircraf

t unles s i t i s i n a n airworth y condition . I n thi s case , N4682 F wa s no t airworth y becaus e i

t faile dto mee

t bot h prong s o f

th e definitio n o f airworthiness : (1 ) i

t di dno t confor mto it s typ e certificat e and , (2 ) i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. Del . Skyway s LLC , FA A Order No . 2005- 6 a

t 2 (Marc h 8 , 2005 ) an dCal . Helilech , FA A Order No , 2000-1 8 a

t 2.n . 7 (Augus t

11 , 2000)) . Thi s discrepanc y wa s liste do n th e Conditio n Notice . (Exh . A-l , A-3 , & 8 ) Lik e th e aircraf

t i n I n ih e Maile r

o f Americ aWes

l Airline s an dAdminisiraio r v . Fosier , N4682 F wa s not

airworth y whe n someon e modifie dth e broke n windo w b y usin g duc t

tap e to cove r th e break s rathe r

than removin g an dreplacin g th e window . Wit h th e broke n sid e windo w

Okliihom aSkydivin g CeniL- i l-A A DOCKTi

T NO.'CPIOSWOOI O DM S No . FAA-2010-121 5alone , wit

h o r withou t duc t tap e ove r it , N4682 F first

di dnot confor mt o it s typ e certificat e and , second , wa s no t

i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. a . N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e i t di dno t confor mt o it s t>'p e certificate . First , N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e th e aircraf t di dno t confor mwit h it s typ e certifi

cate . A broke n windo w covere dwit h duc t tap e i s no t

i n contbrmanc e wit

h th e aircraft' s typ e cer tificate , a s i

t wa s not apar t o f th e original , approve dconditio n o f th e aircraf

t o r a n approve drepair . A s explaine db

y Inspecto r

Boler , i t doe s not mee t th e aircraf

t typ e desig n to operat e wit h acracke d window . Furthermore , duc t tap e i s no t

a n approve dmetho do f

repai r fo r windows . (5 2 Tr

. 6-9 ) (Exh . A-6 ) Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t sh e inspecte dth e windo w an dsh e determine dtha t i t wa s cracke dverticall y completel y an dthere wa s als o acrac k tha t extende dhorizontall y fro mtha t crac k af t o n th e window . An dthos e crack s were covere dwit h duc t tape . (5 1 Tr . 18-22 ; 52 , 1 ) (Exh . A-6. ) Inspecto r

Terry likewis e testifie dtha t th e windo w wa s broke n i n hal f an dha dduc t tap e o n it . (157Tr . 13-19 ) (Exh . A-9 ) Ther e wa s n o testimon y t o th e contrary . Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t th e windo w o f

th e aircraf

t wa s no t serviceabl e o n th e date o f th e ram p inspectio n an di

t di dno t confor mt o th e typ e desig n o f

th e airplane . (5 3 Tr . 3-9 ; 6 1 Tr . 3-5 ; 109Tr . 12-16 ; 11 2 Tr . 2-4 ) When questione db y Respondent' s counsel , Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t duc t tapin g th e windo w o n bot h side s woul dnot

make i t compl y wit

h it s typ e design . (13 5 Tr . 20-22 ; 136Tr . 1-4 ) When aske do n direc t

examinatio n if

he ha dsee n duc t

tap e use do n aircraf

t t o make repair s suc h a s thi s (window) . Respondent' s Exper t Witnes s responded , "No t suc h a s this . No , sir . I hav e not.' " (25 2 Tr . 14-17 ; agai n a t 27 3 Tr . 21-22 )

Oklahom aSkydivin g Ccnie r FAAD0CK1;TN 0 C1'I0SWOU2 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 5Followin g th e ram p inspection , Inspecto r

Boler , reviewe dth e typ e certificat e dat ashee t fo r th e Cessn a206 , (12 0 Tr . 2-3 ) an ddetermine dtha t acracke dwindo w i s not

th e origina l conditio n o f th e aircraft . (14 5 Tr . 7-10 ) Se e simila r compariso n i

n I n ih e Maile r

o f Americ aWes

t Airlines : (witnes s testifie dtha

t if aircraf t cam e out

o f factor y wit h spee dtap e coverin g dis

crepancies , the n i

t woul dhav e conforme dt o it s typ e design) . Th e typ e design , whic h i s par

t o f th e typ e certificate , i s develope db y aeronautica l engineer s an d eac h componen t

i s designe dfo

r it s specifi c purpose . Th e b e "airworthy, " ih e air

craf t mus t confor mto thi s typ e desig n an dtyp e certificate . I n ih e Maile r

o f Americ aWes

l Airlines , FA

A Order No . 96-3 , 1 3 n . 30 . Wit

h abroke n window , wit

h or withou t th e duc t tape , N4682 F di dnot

mee t it s typ e certificat e and , therefore , wa s no t airworthy . When a

n aircraf t ha s unresolve ddiscrepancies , i t i s no t airworthy . I

n ih e Maile r

o f Genera l Aviaiion , FA

A Order No . 1998-18a t

13(October9 , 1998) . O n Jul y 11 , 2009 . N4682 F wa s no t i n a n airworth y conditio n when i t di dnot confor ml o it s typ e certificat e becaus e i t ha da broke n windo w wit

h duc t tap e o n it . b . N4682 F wa s als o unaimorth y becaus e i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight . No t meetin g it s typ e certificate , alone , mad e N4682 F unairworthy . (5 2 Tr . 6-9 ; 12 0 Tr . 2-3 ) However , i

n additio n to not

meetin g it s typ e certificate , th e aircraf t als o faile dth e air

worthines s les t

becaus e i

t wa s not i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. Th e safet

y o f N4682 F wa s com promise dwhe n it s broke n passenge r windo w wa s covere dwit h duc t tap e rathe r

tha n remove dan d replaced . Th e potential safet

y hazardo f

th e windo w piece s bein g cracke dan ddepartin g th e aircraf t create dasignifican t

ris k fo r impac t wit h th e horizontal stabilizer , th e vertical stabilizer , or th e

Oklahom aSkydivin g Ccnic i FA A DOCKi:-!

- N

O 'ciM0SW0O2 O DM S No . FAA-2010-121 51 0

rudde r durin g night . Impac t

coul dcaus e los s o f

contro l o f

th e fiight. (5 2 Tr

. 9-17 ) An

y matter s affectin g th e safet

y o f fiight are matter s affectin g airworthiness . A s Inspecto r

Terry explained , I wouldn' t fiy a n aircraf t wit h abroke n windo w i

n it . Yo u know , ther e are acoupl e thing s com e to mind . Ho w stron g i s th e duc t tape ? I s i

t goin g to hold ? I s th e windo w goin g t o hold ? I'v e hadadoo r ope n o n a

n airplan e i

n fiight an di t make s a n awful lo t o f noise . Th e next

pa n is , i s par

t o f tha t windo w goin g to fiy back an dhi t acontro l surface . Yo

u know , coul dth e aircraf

t becom e uncontrollable . (16 1 Tr . 6-15 ) Respondent' s Exper

t Witnes s woul dno

t rebu t ih e Inspector' s testimon y regardin g safety . Whe n aske do n direct , " . . . i n your opinio n d o anyon e o f

thes e item s rende r

thi s aircraf

t unsaf e fo r fiight or a n imminen t

hazardt o safet

y a s indicate do n th e Conditio n Notice, " Respondent' s Exper t stated , "I n m

y opinio n I hav e not

looke da t th e maintenanc e manual to determin e th e limit s o f crack s o n awindow , hole s or protrudin g —or

protrusion s fro

mafiap. I don' t

hav e enoug h dat at o g o o n right now. " (25 4 Tr . 21-22 ; 25 5 Tr . 1-15 ) I n fact . Respondent' s Exper t agree dtha

t thes e discrepancie s neede dto b e repaired . (25 5 Tr . 3-5 ) Respondents ' President , Mr . Reeves , offere dn o testimon y a s to ho w lon g th e windo w ha d been broken , o r

wh o applie dth e due l tape . Ther e were unsubstantiate dreference s to "othe r me chanics " wh o ma

y hav e signe dof

f inspections , includin g a"Mr . Conklin; " however , thes e indi

vidual s were no t

calle dt o testify , no r

wa s ther e an

y evidenc e introduce dto suppor t Respondent' s claim . "Who' ' actuall y covere dth e broke n windo w wit h duc t tap e i s not

clea r but , regardless , operatin g th e aircraf

t wit h abroke n windo w an dattemptin g to us e duc t tap e to hol di

t present s potentia l safet

y issue s renderin g th e aircraf t unairworthy . N4682 F wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fligh t and , therefore , i

t di dnot meet th e tw o pronge dairworthines s lest .

Oklahom aSkydivin g Ccnle r FA A DOCKb" rNO . CP10SW002 0 DM S N o FAA-2010-I21 S1 1

Responden t

endangere dlif

e an dpropert y t o a n unacceptabl e degree . It s action s riske d windo w piece s departin g th e aircraf t an dimpactin g th e horizonta l stabilizer , th e vertica l stabilizer , o r th e rudde r

durin g fiight

whic h coul dcaus e los s o f contro l o f

th e fiight.

PROPOSE D FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Th e agenc y i s require donl y l o prov e cithe r tha i Responden t

violate dth e first

pron g o r tha i it violate dth e second . Rushmor e Helicopiers . Inc. , FA A Orde r No . 2010-002 3 (Octobe r 3 , 2011) . Respondent' s aircraf

t faile dt o mee t

eithe r pron g o f

th e two-pronge ddefinitio n o f airworthines s whe n it wa s operate dwit h duc t tap e coverin g it s broke n windo w o n Jul y 11 , 2009 . an dan y fiights thereafte r unti l th e windo w wa s replaced . A discrepanc y unaddresse drender s an daircraf t un airworthy . I n r e Genera l AviaiionA'^A A Orde r No . 1998-1 8 (Octobe r

9 , 1998) . Th e aircraf

t di d no t mee t th e ainA'orthines s standar drequire db y 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Eac h fiight Responden t

op erate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , an dthereafte r unti l i t wa s replace do n Jul y 17 , 2009 , wa s aseparat e vi

olatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) , althoug h onl y on e fiight i s liste di

n th e Complaint . N4682 F wa s operate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , whil e carr y tw o passengers , whe n th e left-han d passenge r

windo w wa s cracke dan dduc t taped . (Exh . A-6 ) I

n thi s condition , N4682 F di dno t confor mt o it s typ e certificat e o r wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e for fiight. Oklahom aSkydivin g op erate dthi s aircraf

t i n a n unairworth y conditio n o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , i n violatio n o f 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7fa).' '

" Del . Skywiys . FA

A Orde r No . 2005-6 : Cal . Helilech , KA A Orde r No , 2000- 1 8 ; Einer}' , i'A

A Orde r No . 97-30 : Genera l .'tviaiian . FA

A Orde r No . 1998-18 : U.S.'\if

\FA A Orde r No . 96-25 ; .Americ

aH'e.u . FA A Orde r No . 96-3 . Oklahom aSkydivin g Cfnie r FAADOCKKTN O CP10SW002 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 51 2

2 . N4682 F wa s unairworth y whil e incorrec t sca t stop s wer e installe di n th e pilo t sca t an d operatio n i n thi s conditio n violate s 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Lik e th e aircraf

t i n Americ aWes

i Airline s an

dAdminisiraio r

v . Fosier , N4682 F wa s no l airworth y when Responden t ha dinstalle dbolt s an

dnut s i n th e sea t track s fo r th e pilot' s sea

t i n N4682 F rathe r

than th e typ e certificate dsea t stops . Withou t

th e typ e certificaie dsea

t slop s in

stalle dN4682 F di d no t

confor ml o it s typ e certificat e an d wa s not i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. Del . Sky\vay s LLC , FA

A Orde r No . 2005-6 ; Cal . Helilech , FA A Orde r No . 2000-18 . Thi s dis

crepanc y wa s liste do

n th e Conditio n Notice . (Exh . A- l & 8 )

a . N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e i t di d no t confor mt o it s typ e certificate . First , N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e th e aircraf t di dnot confon n wit

h it s typ e certifi

cate . A s explaine db

y Inspecto r

Boler , i t doe s no l mee

t th e aircraf

t typ e desig n t o operat e withou t th e prope r sea t stop s installed . Th e sea

t stop s tha t wer e installe ddi d no

t confor mto th e aircraf

t typ e design . (6 0 Tr . 1-2 ; 78-8 0 Tr . line s 22-1 ) Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t durin g he

r inspection , sh e notice dtha t ther e were bolt s an d nut s installe di

n th e pilo t

sea t rails . (3 1 Tr . 2-4 ) (Exhs . A-3 . R-I,an dR-J ) Inspecto r Boler testifie d unde r cros s examinatio n tha

t th e nut o n on e o f

th e bolt s wa s loose . (8 8 Tr . 7-9 ) Inspecto r Bole r identifie dth e prope r

sea t slop s b y a s show n o n th e Cessn apart s list , (12 2 Tr . 1-21) , a s wel l a s th e typ e certificat e fo

r th e aircraft , (13 3 Tr . 9-22 ; 13 4 Tr . 1-3) , an d th e Cessn aIllustrate dPart s Breakdow n (IPB ) fo

r th e pilo t seat . (Exh . R-K) (5 2 Tr . 1 ) Inspecto r Terry likewis e testifie dtha t th e aircraf t di d not hav e th e Cessn aseal slop s installed . (15 8 Tr . 14-18 ) (Exh . A-9 ) Ther e wa s n o testimon y to th e contrary . Respondent' s Exper t identifie dth e prope r

Cessn asea

t slop s o n ih e Cessn aIPB an d tha

t he ha d see n the mbefore . (24 2 Tr . 7-15 ) Nut s an d boll s are no l calle dfo r i n

Oklahom a Skvdivin g CL'nic r I'A A D0CKJ; T N O 'CPI0SW002 0 DM S N o FAA-2010-121 51 3

th e Cessn aIPB . (Exhs . R-I , an dR-J ) Respondenr s Exper t coul dno t

state tha t bolt s an dnut s conforme dl o th e origina l typ e certificate . (24 3 Tr . 22 ; 24 4 Tr . 1-4 ) Respondent' s Exper

t fuU y endorse s th e Administrator' s positio n iha t th e nut s an dbolt s d o no t meet th e typ e design . H

e wa s asked , "An dca

n a n A& P mechani c o n thei r

ow n instal l part s tha

t are not approve db

y th e manufacturer? " Hi s answe r wa s unequivocal : "'Tha

t ar e not approved ? Absolutel y nol. " (26 3 Tr . 22 ; 26 4 Tr . 1 ) See simila r compariso n i

n Americ aWesl : (witnes s testifie dtha

t if aircraf t cam e out

o f factor y wit h spee dtap e coverin g dis

crepancies , then i

t woul dhav e conforme dt o it s typ e design) . Th e typ e design , whic h i s par

t o f th e typ e certificate , i s develope db y aeronautica l engineer s an d eac h componen t

i s designe dfo

r it s specifi c purpose . Th e b e "airworthy, " th e air

craf t mus t confor mto thi s typ e desig n an dtyp e certificate . Americ aWes

l Airlines , FA

A Order No . 96-3 , 1 3 n . 30 . Withou t th e proper

sea l slop s in

stalled , N4682 F di dnot

mee t it s typ e certificat e and , therefore , wa s not airworthy . 5"^

^ Foster . Equipmen t

thai i s no l par

t of adesig n tha

t i s approve dunder

atyp e or supplementa l typ e certificat e an di s not

otherwis e accounte dfo

r i n appropriat e record s constitute s adiscrepancy . Whil e amino r

repai r ma y hav e n o safel y implications , th e aircraf t i s unairworth y if

, a s aresul t

o f th e repair , th e aircraf

t n o longer

conform s l o it s typ e design) ; I n th e Matte r

o f USAir , FA

A Order No . 96-2 5 a

t 11 . Th e FA A inspector s wer e entitle dto assum e tha t th e bolt s an dnut s were no t lawful equipmen t

and , thus , amounte dl o adiscrepancy . A discrepanc y unaddresse drender s a n aircraf t unairworthy . I

n th e Maile r

o f Genera l Aviation , FA

A Orde r No . 1998-18 . O

n Jul y 11,2009 . N4682 F wa s not

i n a n airworth y conditio n when i t di dno t confor mto it s typ e certificat e becaus e i t di dno t hav e th e prope r

seal stop s installed .

Oklahom a Skydivin g Cente r FA A DOCkir rNO . a'10SW002 U DM S No . FAA-2010-121 51 4

b . N4682 F wa s als o unairworth y becaus e i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight . No t meetin g it s typ e certificate , alone , mad e N4682 F unairworthy . (6 0 Tr . 1-2 ; 78-8 0 Tr . 2 2 -1 ) However , i

n additio n to no l meetin g it s typ e certificate , th e aircraf t als o faile dth e air

worthines s tes t

becaus e i i wa s no t

i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiighl. Th e safely o f

N4682 F wa s com promise db

y not havin g th e prope r

sea l slop s installed . Ther e i s adefinit e potential , if no l actual , safely hazardresultin g fro minstallin g sea

t slop s tha t d o no t confor mt o th e aircraft' s typ e design . When asked , "Wh y d o w e care i f th e seat s i

n a Cessn ahav e th e right

stop s i n the mor nol, " Inspecto r

Boler stated , "Ther e hav e been numerou s accident s whic h hav e resulte dfro mincorrec t

seal stop s bein g installed . An di t create s asignifican t safel y ris k fo r th e pilot. " (4 7 Tr . 3-9 ; also , 8 8 Tr . 13-18 ) Inspecto r Terr y i s a n FA A Operation s Inspecto r

vvit h a n Airlin e Transpor

t certificat e an d ove r 5,00 0 hour s fiighl lime . He i s als o acertifie dfiight instructo r

wit h instrumen t

an dmul

liengin e ratings , an daSabreline r typ e rating . He wa s th e Chie f Instructo r

o f apar t 14 1 fiight schoo l a s wel l a s chie f

pilo t of alarg e par

t 9 1 fiying club . Inspecto r Terr y testifie ddirectl y to th e imminen t safet y hazardinvolvin g imprope r sea t stop s i n Cessn aaircraft . H e state dthat , "Cessn a aircraf t hav e been know n fo

r seat s slidin g backward s a t rotatio n becaus e th e pin s tha t actuall y g o int o th e hole s i

n th e rail s wil l becom e won i down . Cessna' s fix fo r thai wa s to creat e sea

t slop s l o kee p th e sea

t fro mslidin g al l th e wa

y backward s a

t acritical lim e o f

fiight suc h a s a t rotation . Becaus e 1 believ e ther e hav e bee n afe w accident s wit

h - whe n tha i di dhappe n there . An dwit h th e sea t slidin g al l th e \va

y backward s a

t rotatio n th e yoke goe s wit h th e pilo t an dth e airplan e goe s straigh t up an dcoul dlea

dinto astal l spi n situatio n coul dlea dto a n accident. " (16 0 Tr . 4-17 )

Oklahonu i Skydivin g Ccnic r FA A DOCKh r

NO . (::i'10SVV002

0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 51 5

Respondent' s expert

witnes s agree dan dals o admitte dtha t improperl y installe dsea

l slop s are dangerous . (24 3 Tr . 9 ) I n fact , Inspecto r

Bole r testifie dthai th e photograph s fro mthis in

spectio n wer e use da s par

t of anational safet

y aler t fo r operator s to ensur e tha

t proper sea l stop s ar e installe dprio r

to fiighl fo

r saf e operation s becaus e imprope r seal slop s presen t

asignifican t

safely hazard . (13 0 Tr . 15-22 ; 13 1 Tr . 1-10 ) (Exhs . R-I , an dR-J ) Regardles s wh o actuall y installe dth e imprope r sea t slop s i n N4682F , o

r fo r ho w long , o

r fo r ho w many fiights, o r

ho w many time s th e aircraf t ha dpasse da

n inspection , operatin g th e air

craf t wit h imprope r

seat stop s present s apotential , i f no t a n actual , safeiy'issu e renderin g th e air

craf t unairworthy . Ther e are n o maintenanc e lo g entrie s showin g tha t th e prope r

Cessn aseal stop s were installe do n July 11 , 2009 . (Exh . A-10 ) N4682 F wa s no l i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight and , therefore , i

t di dnot meet th e two-pronge dairworthines s lest . Responden t

endangere dlif

e an dproperl y t o a

n unacceptabl e degree . U s action s riske dth e pilot' s sea t slidin g backward s a

t rotation , wit

h th e pilo t stil l pullin g o n th e yoke causin g astal l spi n situatio n leadin g l o a

n accident . PRQPOSEt ) FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Th e agenc y i s require donl y to prov e eithe r tha t Responden t

violate dth e first

pron g or tha t i t violate dth e second . Rushmore Helicopters . Inc. , FA A Orde r No . 2010-002 3 (Octobe r

3 , 2011) . Respondent' s aircraf

t faile dto meet

bot h prong s o f

th e two-pronge ddefinitio n o f airworthines s whe n i t wa s operate dwit

h imprope r

sea l slop s installe do n Jul y 11 . 2009 , an dan y fiights thereafte r unti l the y were wa s replaced . (Exh . A-10 , I I & 12) {21 2 Tr . 4-6 ) A discrepanc y unaddresse d render s an daircraf

t unairworthy . I

n r e Genera l Aviation , FA A Orde r No . 1998-1 8 (Octobe r

9 .

Oklahom aSkydivin g Center l-A A DOCKE T NO . CP10SW002 0 DM S No . l-AA-2010-121 51 6

1998) . Th e aircraf

t di dno t meet th e airworthines s standar drequire db y 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Each fiight Responden t

operate do

n Jul y 11 , 2009 , an dthereafter unti l th e correc t

sea t stop s were in

stalle do n Jul y 24 , 2009 , (Exh . A- l 2 ) wa s aseparat e violatio n o f 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) , althoug h onl y on e flight i s liste di n th e Complaint . N4682 F wa s operate do

n Jul y 11 , 2009 , whil e cart y tw o passengers , whe n th e proper Cessn asea

l slop s were not

installed . I

n thi s condition , N4682 F di dno l confor mto it s typ e cer tificat e o r wa s not i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiight. Oklahom aSkydivin g operate dthi s aircraf t i n a n unairworth y conditio n o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , i n violatio n of

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a). ^ 3 . N4682 F wa s unairworth y whil e i t ha dascre w protrudin g throug h th e lowe r ski n of th e lef t flap , an doperatio n i n thi s conditio n violate s 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Lik e th e aircraf

t i n I n ih e Matte r

o f Americ aWes

t Airline s an dAdministrato r v . Fosier , N4682 F wa s no t

airworth y whe n th e lower ski n o f th e lef t fiap o n N4682 F ha

dascre w protrudin g throug h it . I

n thi s condition , N4682 F di dnot confor mt o it s typ e certificat e an dwa s not i n a conditio n saf

e fo r fiighl. Del . Skyway s LLC . FA A Order No . 2005- 6 a

t 2 (Marc h 8 , 2005 ) an dCal . Helilech . FA

A Orde r No , 2000-1 8 a

t 2 n . 7 (Augus t

11 , 2000)) . Thi s discrepanc y wa s liste do n th e Conditio n Notice . (Exh . A- 1 & 8 )

^ Dei . Skyways , FA

A Orde rNo . 2005-6 ; Cal . Heiltech , FA A Orde rNo , 2000-18 ; Emery , FA A Orde rNo . 97-30 ; Genera l Aviation , FA

A Orde rNo . 1998-18 ; USAir , FA A Orde rNo . 96-25 ; Americ a Wes l FA A Orde rNo . 96-3 .

Oklahnm u Skydivin g Ccnle r FA A DOCKE T N

O Cf'll)SW002 0

. DM S No . FAA-2010-121 51 7

a . N4682 F wa s unainvurth y becaus e i t di dno t confor mt o it s t^p e certiFicatc . Firsi . N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e th e aircraf t di dno t confon n wit

h it s typ e certifi

cate . Insptclo r

Boler testifie dtha

t th e lef t fiap o n th e aircraf

t ha dapiec e o f

hardwar e - appeare d l o b e ascre w o f

som e sor t --protrudin g throug h th e lower ski n o f th e fiap. (3 3 Tr . 3-7 ) (Ex . A-5 ) Inspecto r Boler explaine dtha

t th e aircraf

t doe s not mee t th e aircraf

t typ e desig n to operat e wit h screw s protrudin g throug h th e fiap skino f th e aircraft . (5 3 Tr.I3-17 ) Inspecto r Terry testifie dtha

t h e ha s fiown " alot " o f

Cessn aaircraft . Whe

n he wa s aske d abou t ascre w puncturin g on e o f th e flaps h e staled , " I don' t believ e that' s somethin g tha t Cessn a woul dle t a n airplan e leav e th e factor y with. " (16 2 Tr . 12-14 ) Inspecto r Bole r identifie dth e proble man dliste di

t o n th e Conditio n Notice . I t di dno l compl y wit

h it s lyp e design , (5 7 Tr . 6-10 ; 6 1 Tr . 6-8) , whic h sh e reviewed . (12 0 Tr . line s 2-3 ) Respondent' s Exper

t witnes s decline dto stal e thai ih e aircraft , wit h th e scre w protrudin g throug h th e flap skin , woul db e i n conformit

y wit h it s typ e design . (24 9 Tr . 15-21 ) H e agreed , o n cros s examination , tha

t wit h Inspecto r

Boler' s experienc e an don-sit e inspection , sh e woul db e abl e to make th e determinatio n regardin g th e situatio n tha t existe do n Jul y 11 , 2009 . (27 0 Tr . 9-18 ) I n fact , Respondent' s exper t ha s neve r

reviewe dth e Cessn a20 6 maintenanc e manual . (27 0 Tr . 21-1];27 1 Tr . 1-2 ; 27 5 Tr . 8-10 ) A s mI n th e Matte r

o f Americ aWes

l Airlines , FA

A Order No . 96-3 , 1 3 n . 30 , Inspecto r

Boler testifie diha

t th e aircraf

t come s fro

mth e factor

y withou t tha t hole , withou t ascre w protrudin g throug h th e fiap. (Tr . 144 . line s 5-7 ) T o b e "airworthy, " th e aircraf t mus t confor mto thi s typ e design . Wit h ascre w protrudin g throug h th e lef

t fiap skin , N4682 F di dno t meet it s typ e desig n and ; therefore , wa s not airworthy .

Oklahom aSkvdivin g Ceiilf r TA A DOCKK

T N O 'CI'10SW002 0 DM S No . KAA-2010-121 51 8

O n Jul y ] 1 , 2009 , N4682 F wa s no t i n a n airworth y conditio n wit h ascre w protrudin g throug h th e lef t fiap skin . b . N4682 F wa s als o unairworth y becaus e i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight. No t meetin g it s typ e certificat e alon e mad e N4682 F unairworthy . (5 3 Tr . 13-17 ; 12 0 Tr . 2-3 ) However , i

n additio n to no l meetin g it s typ e certificate , th e aircraf t als o faile dth e air

worthines s tes t

becaus e i

t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight. Th e safet

y o f N4682 F wa s com promise dwit

h ascre w protrudin g throug h th e lef t fiap skin . Inspecto r Boler testifie dtha

t th e safet y issu e wit

h th e fiap wit

h th e scre w protrudin g fro m th e lower ski n woul db e possibl e jammin g o f th e fiap, leadin g t

o asymmetrica l flap, whic h sh e slate dcoul dleadto asignifican t controllability problem . (5 3 Tr . 18-22 ; 5 4 Tr . 1-8 ) Inspecto r Terry , fro

ma n operation s perspective , agreed . He slate dh e foundtha t "odd, " an dwondered , "ar e ther e more floating aroun dinsid e th e airplane. " (15 7 Tr . 22 ; 15 8 Tr . 1 -5 ) He expresse dconcern tha

t ascre w shoul dno l b e ther e an dwa s concerne dwher e di dth e scre w com e from . H e wa s concerne dtha

t somethin g coul dge

t boun dint o acontro l wire or into abell crank . (16 1 Tr . 20-22 ; 162 Tr . 1-8) A s Inspecto r

Terr y explained , th e ascre w protrudin g throug h th e fiap ski n nea r th e fiap trac k an dunknow n conditio n therein , i t create dapotential safet

y concer n regardin g fiap asym metry . A s he testified , wit h aloos e scre w i

n aflap track , i

t coul dcaus e th e flaps l o malfunction . Inspecto r Terr y testifie dthat , ''i t

coul dpossibl y lea

dint o aver

y dangerou s situatio n when th e airspee dcome s dow n . . . yo u coul dapproac h th e stal l speed , th e aircraf t uncontrolled. " H

e con clude dthat , "a

n acciden t

an dpersonal injur

y coul dresult. " (16 3 Tr . 3-19 ) Ih e screw' s locatio n

Oklahom a Skydivin g Cente r l-A A DOCKE T N O CP10SW002 0 DM.SN o FAA-2()I0-J2I 51 9

wa s confirme db

y Respondent' s exper

t wh o testifie dtha

t th e flap trac k

wa s abov e th e scre w pro iRidin g throug h th e flap skin . (26 9 Tr . 17-19 ) Inspecto r Terr y unequivocall y stale dtha t he woul d no l fly thai airpor

t (airplane) . (169Tr . 15-16 ) Ther e wa s n o evidenc e produce db y Responden t

to rebu t th e Agency' s allegation . N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e i t wa s not i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight. Responden t

endangere dlif

e an dproperty t

o a n unacceptabl e degree . Jl s action s riske dth e fiap jammin g an daresultin g fiap asymmetr y issue , which , a

t lo w speed , coul db e ver

y dangerou s includin g stallin g th e aircraf t leadin g l o a

n accident . PROPOSE D FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Th e agenc y i s require donl y to prov e eithe r tha t Responden t

violate dth e first

pron g or tha t i t violate dth e second . Rushmore Helicopiers . Inc. . FA A Orde r No . 2010-002 3 (Octobe r

3 , 2011) . Respondent' s aircraf

t faile dl o meet

eithe r pron g o f th e tw o pronge ddefinitio n o f airworthines s whe n i t wa s operate dwit

h ascre w protrudin g throug h th e lef t fiap ski n o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , an dan y flights thereafter

unti l th e fiap wa s repaired . A discrepanc y unaddresse drender s an daircraf t un airworthy . I

n r e Genera l Aviation , FA A Order No . 1998-18 . Th e aircraf t di dno l mee t

th e air

worthines s standar drequire db y 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . Each flight Responden t

operate do

n Jul y 11 , 2009 , wa s aseparat e violatio n o f 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . althoug h onl y on e fiight i s liste di n th e Complaint . N4682 F wa s operate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , whil e carr> ' tw o passengers , whe n th e left-han d fiap ha dahol e (scre w protrudin g throug h it) . (Exh . A-5 ) I n thi s condition , N4682 F di dno t con for mto it s typ e certificat e or wa s no l i n aconditio n saf

e fo r fiighl. Oklahom aSkydivin g operate d

Oklahonii i Skydivin g Cente r i"A A DOCKE T N O CP10SW002 0 DMSNo . FAA-20I0-I2l.' i2 0

thi s aircraf

t i n a n unairworth y conditio n o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , i n violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a). ^ 4 . N4682 F wa s unainvortb y whiJ c i t ha dcrack s i n th e lowe r ski n o f th e righ t flap , an doperatio n i n thi s conditio n violate s 1 4 C.F.R . § 9L7(a) . Lik e th e aircraf

t i n I n th e Maile r

o f Americ aWes t

Airline s an dAdministrato r v . Foster , N4682 F wa s no t

airworth y whe n th e righ t flap o n N4682 F ha dcrack s i n it . I n thi s condition , N4682 F di dno t

confon n t o it s typ e certificat e an dwa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight. Del . Skyway s LLC , FA A Orde r No . 2005- 6 a t

2 (Marc h 8 . 2005 ) an dCal . Helilech , FA A Orde r No . 2000-1 8 a t

2 n . 7 (Augus t

11 , 2000) .

a . N4682 F wa s unairworth y becaus e i t di dno t confor mt o it s t>'p c certificate . Inspecto r Bole r testifie dtha i th e righ t

fiap wa s cracked . (3 7 Tr . 3-4 ) Sh e photo

graphe dit . (Ex . A-7 ) Thi s discrepanc y wa s liste do n th e Conditio n Notice . (Exhs . A- l & 8 ) A s explaine db y Inspecto r

Boler . it doe s no l mee t

th e aircraf

t typ e desig n t o operat e wit h crack s i n th e fiap. (5 3 fr . 10-12 : 6 1 Tr . 6-8 ) Inspecto r Boler , reviewe dth e lyp e certificat e dat ashee t fo r th e Cessn a206 . (120Tr . 2-3 ) O n cros s examination , Inspecto r Terr y agree dwit h Inspecto r Bole r tha t th e aircraf

t wa s unairworth y an dshoul dno l hav e bee n flown unde r an y circumstances . (17 7 Tr . 3-7 ) Whe n aske do n direc t examinatio n i f

ther e wa s a"sto p hole " drille dbetwee n th e crack s i n th e righ t fiap. Respondent' s Exper t testifie dtha t

h e coul dno t

tell . (25 6 Tr . 6-8 ) Whe n an aircraf

t ha s unresolve ddiscrepancies , it i s no t airworthy . I n th e Matte r o f Gen

era l Aviation , FA A Orde r No . 1998-18a t

13(October9 , 1998) . Se e simila r compariso n i n I

n th e ^•Del . Skyways , FA

A Orde rNo . 2005-6 ; Cal . Helitech , FAA Orde rNo , 2000-18 ; Emery , FA A Orde rNo . 97-30 ; Genera l Aviation , FAA Orde rNo . 1998-18 ; USAir , FAA Orde rNo . 96-25 ; Americ a West , FA A Orde rNo . 96-3 . .

fJklahomaSkvdivin e Cente r FA A DIXKF T N

O CPlOSWOtOi ) DM S N o FAA-2010-121 52 1

Matte r o f Americ aWes t

Airlines , FA

A Order No . 96-3 , 1 3 n . 3 0 (witnes s testifie dtha t if aircraf t cam e out o f factor y wit h spee dtap e coverin g discrepancies , the n i t woul dhav e conforme dl o it s lyp e design) . Th e lyp e design , whic h i s par t o f th e typ e certificate , i s develope db y aeronautica l engineer s an deac h componen t i s designe dfo

r it s specifi c purpose . T o b e "airworthy, " th e aircraf t mus t confor mt o thi s lyp e desig n an dtyp e certificate . Wit h crack s i n th e right flap, N4682 F di dno l meet it s typ e certificat e and , therefore , wa s no t airworthy . O

n Jul y 11 , 2009 , N4682 F wa s not i n a n airworth y conditio n whe n i t di dno l confor

mt o it s typ e certificat e becaus e i t ha dcrack s i n th e right flap. b . N4682 F wa s als o unainvorth y becaus e i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight . No t meetin g it s typ e certificate , alone , mad e N4682 F unairworthy . (5 3 Tr . 10-12 ; 12 0 Tr . 2-3 ) However , i

n additio n to no l meetin g it s typ e certificate , th e aircraf t als o faile dth e air

worthines s tes t

becaus e i t wa s no t i n aconditio n saf

e fo r flight. Inspecto r

Boler state dtha

t th e safel y concern s wit

h th e flap i s possibl e internal damage , whic h woul db e unknow n withou t a n inspection . (5 3 Tr . 21-22 ; 5 4 Tr . 1-3 ) Inspecto r Tcrty , o n cross-examinatio n testifie dtha t seein g th e crack s i

n Ih e right fiap he woul dno t fiy th e aircraf

t under an y circumstances , an dtha

t i t wa s a n imminen t

hazardto safety , (17 4 Tr . 1 6 throug h 177 1 r . 7) , an dtha t Mr . Reeves ' operatio n o f th e aircraf

t i n tha t conditio n wa s asubstantia l disregar dfo

r safety . (18 9 Tr . 3 ) O n direct , Respondent' s Exper t decline dl o expressl y declar e tha t th e crack s i

n th e right flap wer e no t

a n imminen t

hazardl o saf

e flight. Instead , he hesitated , stalin g that , "Bu t onc e

OkljihoiiiJ i Skvdivin g Ccnic r l-A A DOCKl^ l NO.'Cl'10SWU02 0 DM S Ni l FAA-20lf)-12l 52 2

again , there' s amaintenanc e manual tha t tell s me wha

t th e tolerance s are , astructura l manua l I ca n look at , measur e th e crac k

an ddetermin e whethe r

o r no l i t i s goo dor

bad." ' (25 5 Tr . 6-15 ) Responden t

endangere dlif

e an dproperty to a

n unacceptabl e degree , fts action s riske dth e safet y o f th e pilo t an dpassenger s b

y exposin g the ml o possibl e failure o f th e fiap du e to hidde n internal damage . A s wit

h an y fiap problem , asymmetrica l lif t issue s are alway s asafely concer n an da n imminen t

safet y hazard . PROPOSE D FINDING S O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Th e agenc y i s require donl y t o prov e eithe r tha t Responden t

violate dth e first

pron g or tha t i t violate dth e second . Rushmore Helicopiers , Inc. , FA A Orde r No . 2010-002 3 (Octobe r

3 , 2011) . Respondent' s aircraf

t failedto mee t

eithe r pron g o f th e two-pronge ddefinitio n o f airworthines s whe n i t wa s operate dwit

h crack s i n th e right

fiap o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , an dan y fiights thereafter unti l th e crack s wer e replaced . A discrepanc y unaddresse drender s an daircraf t unairworthy . I

n r e Genera l Aviation , FA

A Orde r No . 1998-1 8 (Octobe r

9 , 1998) . Th e aircraf

t di dno t meet th e airworthines s standar drequire db y 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) . llac h flight Responden t

operate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , an dthereafte r

unti l Jul y 17 , 2009 , whe

n i t wa s repaired , wa s aseparat e violatio n o f 14 . C.F.R . § 91.7(a) , althoug h onl y on e fiight i s liste di n th e Complaint . N4682 F wa s operate do n Jul y 11 , 2009 , whil e carr y tw o passengers , when th e right-han d fiap wa s cracked . I

n thi s condition , N4682 F di dnot confor mt o it s typ e certificat e or

wa s not i n a conditio n saf

e fo r flight. Oklahom aSkydivin g operate dthi s aircraf t i n a n unairworth y conditio n

Oklnhnm a Skydivin g Cente r TA A DOCKII T N

O CPI0S\V0O2 0 DM S N o FA,\-20}0-}2l 52 3

o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , i

n violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a). ^ IV . Sectio n 91.405(a ) wa s violate dwhen , a s th e operato r of N4682F , Oklahom aSkvdivin g Cente r di dno t hav e tha t

aircraf t inspecte da s prescribe di n subpar t E , an ddi dno t

bet^vec n require dinspection s .. . hav e discrepancie s repaire da s prescribe di n par t 4 3 o f thi s chapte r Inspecto r Koui , followe dup ih e Jul y 9 , 2009 , ram p inspectio n wit

h aretur n visi t th e fol

lowin g January 10 . Inspecto r K.oij t ha s a n A& P certificate an da

n lA . He ha s been a

n Air

worthines s Inspecto r

wit h th e FA A fo r 1 3 years . Respondent' s maintenanc e record s faile dto sho w tha t an y o f thes e discrepancie s ha

dbeen addresse dprio r

to Jul y 17 , 2009 , six (6 ) day s afte r th e ram p inspection . (21 4 Tr . 4-9 ) Th e aircraf t ha dals o accumulate d19. 7 hour s o f flight time . Th e aircraft' s logboo k

showe dtha

t thre e (3 ) o f

th e discrepancie s liste do n th e abov e reference dcon ditio n notice , includin g replacin g th e cracke dwindow , slo p [drilling ] crack s i n th e right lower flap skin , an dinstallin g reinforcemen t plate s o n th e cracke dright

fiap skin , an dlef

t fiap, (21 0 Tr . 22 ; 21 1 Tr . 1-18 ) wer e signe dfo r a s bein g repaire db

y acertificaie dmechanic , Ga y lor dA . Syrslad , A&P3024178 . o

n Jul y 17 , 2009 , a

t aircraf t tachomete r

lim e o f 8,364. 0 hours . (Exhs . A-10 , A- l 1 , an dA-12 ) Accordin g to Mr . Reeves , 3 5 fiights took plac e wit h th e aircraf

t i n th e inter\'enin g period , carryin g 10

0 people . I

t wa s no l unti l laier , Jul y 24 , 2009 , tha t th e maintenanc e record s indicat e tha

t ne w Cessn asea

t slop s wer e installe do n th e pilo t sea t rails . (Fxh . A-12 ) Respondent' s owner . Reeves , doe s not disput e no

r contradic t

Inspecto r Koul' s testimon y o r th e inference s draw n fro

mAgenc y exhibit s A- l 1 , 1 2 & 13 . Reeve s admit s tha t th e discrepancie s ha dbeen brough t

t o hi s attentio n a

t th e Jul y 1 1 inspection , (28 7 Tr . 3-20 ) (Exh . A-l) , an dtha t he

' Del . Skyways , FA

A Orde rNo . 2005-6 ; Cal . Helitech . FA A Orde rNo , 2000-18 ; Emery , FA A Orde rNo . 97-30 ; Genera l Aviation . FA

A Orde rNo . 1998-18 ; USAir . FA A Orde rNo . 96-25 ; Americ a West , FA A Orde rNo . 96-3 .

Oklahom aSkydivin g Cenic r rAADOCKF.TN O CP10SW002 0 DM S No . l-AA-2010-121 52 4

ha dpersonall y receive daConditio n Notic e listin g th e discrepancies . (29 7 Tr . 9-15 ) (Exhs . A- 3 & 9 ) He admitte dtha

t Oklahom aSkydivin g ha

dtake n n o actio n i

n respons e l o th e cracke dflap, puncture dfiap, o r

broke n windo w befor

e operating . (29 8 Tr . 7-12 ) Oklahom aSkydiving ' Reeve s asserte di n hi s defense , tha

t he wa s "o n th e phone " wit h hi s mechani c an dhi s mechani c purportedl y tol dhi mtha t th e sea t stop s wer

e "no l factor

y sea t stop s s o yo u nee dto chang e those . He testified , " . . . th e othe r -discrepancie s an dhe aske dm e about th e crack s o n th e rivet s he said , thos e ca n wait til l Monda

y bu t chang e th e sea

t stop s today." ' (296-29 7 Tr. ) Hi s testimon y doe s no t indicat e tha

t h e aske dhi s mechani c abou t th e broke n an dduc t

tape d window , no r

doe s i t describ e ho w h e woul dhav e describe dIhe discrepancie s lo at \A& P mechani c

. i n sufficient

detai l fo r tha t perso n to mak

e a n inspectio n i

n accordanc e wit

h 1 4 C.F.R . par

t 4 3 requirements . I l appear s fro

mhi s lin e o f

testimon y tha

t Respondent' s Reeve s i s claimin g som e sor t o f detrimenia

J relianc e defens e ~ tha

t h e relie don-hi s mechani c t o advis e himwhethe r o r not l o op erat e th e aircraft . Th e Rule s o f Practic e obligat e aResponden t to "specificall y stat e an

y affinna

liv e defens e tha

t th e responden t

intend s l o asser

t a t th e hearing," i

n th e Answer . 1 4 C.F.R . § 13.209(d) . Th e Answe r

filedb y Responden t

(Exh . A-l ) fail s to stat e an y affirmativ e defenses . Furthermore , th e burde n o f proo f i s o n th e Responden t

to prov e an

y affirmativ e defenses . Here , w e onl y hav e th e testimon y o f Mr . Reeves . Despite th e 2 1/2-year s that hav e elapse dbetwee n th e dat e o t th e ram p inspectio n an dth e hearing , th e perso n wit h who mMr . Reeve s allegedl y spok e wit h wa s not calle dlo testify . There i s n o statemen t fro mhimor her . I n fact , w e hav e onl y Mr . Reeves ' testimon y tha

t he , in-fact , wa s speakin g t o anyon e o

n th e phone , le

t alon e amechanic , o r an y particular

mechanic , tha

t day .

Oklahom aSkydivin g Center l-A A DOCKE T NO . CP10S\VOU2 0 DM S N o FAA-2010-121 52 5

Wit h regardl o th e seal slops , th e onl y evidenc e tha t the y wer e replace di s i

n th e aircraf

t logbook , date dJul y 24 , 2009 , durin g th e 100-hour require dinspection . (Exh . A-12 ) Inspecto r Kout di dnot findan y evidenc e tha

t the y ha dbee n replace dearlier . (21 4 Tr . 4-9 ) Th e inspecto r testifie dtha

t th e FA A relie s o n th e record s provide db y a n operato r

to sho w complianc e an dtha t th e FA A relie s o n them . (214Tr . 10-22;215Tr . 1-10 ) H e testifie dtha

t maintenance ^ mus t

b e wTJtle n down. ^ (Tr . 216 , line s 2-3 ) Inspecto r Kou t di dnot se e an y evidenc e i

n th e aircraf

t lo g o f N4682 F a s t o wh o installe dan y sea t slops , o n wha

t day , or how , prio r

to th e 100-hour

inspectio n onJul y 24 , 2012 . (21 5 Tr . 11-22 ) Th e languag e o f

Ihe Federa

l Aviatio n Regulation s indicate s tha t th e failur e l o maintai n record s constitute s aviolation , an da n aircraf t operator' s failur

e to maintai n suc h record s i s not atrivial matter . Wcui

s Agr . Aviation . Inc . v . Busey , 97 7 F.2 d59 4 (9' ^ Cir . 1992) . " A polic y o f lenienc y towardrecordkeepin g inevitabl y encourage s carelessnes s i n th e timel y performanc e o f require d maintenance , t o th e derogatio n o f safety....' " Administrato r v . Newman , 1 NTS B 2008 , 201 0 (1972) , pet . fo r

revie w denied , 49 4 F.2 d121 9 (2 dCir . 1974) . I n a n enforcemen t

proceedin g suc h a s thi s one , th e FA A ma y sustai n it s burde n o f

provin g tha t require dmaintenanc e ha s no l bee n complete db y relyin g o n th e absenc e o f th e requisit e entrie s i n th e aircraft' s maintenanc e record . Se e Delawar e Sky^vays . LLC , FA A Orde r No . 2005- 6 (Marc h 18 , 2005) ; Californi aHelitech , FA A Order No . 2000-1 8 a

t 3 n. 7 (Augus t

11 , 2000) . A s such , th e 8 Maintenanc e i s define d i n par t 4 3 l o mea n "th e inspeciion , overhaul , repair, upkeep , an d preservatio n ofairframes . powerplanls , propeller s an d appliances , includin g th e replacemen t o f parts. " Par t 43 . whic h Hi s Hono rloo k judicia l notic e of . state s tha t eac h perso n wh o maintains , pertbmi s preventiv e maintenance , rebuilds , o ralter s a n aircraft , airframe , aircraf t engine , propeller , appliance , o rcomponen t par t shal l mak e a n entr y i n th e maintenanc e recor d o f tha t equipmen t containin g th e followin g information ;

(1 ) A descriptio n (o rreferenc e t o dat a acceptabl e t o th e Administrator ) o f wor k performed . (2 ) Th e dal e o f completio n o f th e wor k performed . (3 ) Th e nam e o f th e perso n performin g th e wor k . . . . Oklahom a Skydivin g Ccnlt- i FA A D0CK!: T NO . CI'10SW002 0 DM S N o KAA-2010-121 52 6

F A A i s entitle dto rely onl y o n N4682F' s maintenanc e record s i n determinin g whethe r

th e pilo t sea t stop s ha dbeen appropriatel y installe dor an y othe r maintenanc e performed . Th e Agenc y i s not obligate dl o inquir e further . Maintenanc e records , a s th e Administrato r ha s ofte n stated , are th e linchpi n o f

th e agency' s enforcemen t efforts . Agenc y inspector s ma y rel y o n themi n deter

minin g whethe r

require dmaintenanc e ha s been performed . Californi aHelitech , FA A Orde r No . 2000-1 8 (Augus t

11 , 2000) , p . 16 , 2000 ; Wall s Agricultura l Aviatio n d/b/ aGrower s Ai r Service, . FAA Orde r

No , 91- 8 (Jul y 5 , 1991) , pp . 15-16 , revie w den . sub . nom . Walt s Agricultura l Aviatio n V . Busey , 97 7 F.2 d59 4 (D.C . Cir . 1992) . A s such , th e Agenc y i s entitle dt o conclud e Jus t fro ma revie w o f pertinen t record s tha

t replacemen t

o f th e left-han dpassenge r

sid e windo w (cracke dan d duc t taped) ; repair s l o th e left-han dHa p wit h th e hol e (scre w protruding ) an dth e cracke d right-han dflap; a s well a s th e installatio n o f proper Cessn asea

t slops , ha dno t been accomplishe d a s o f Jul y 11 , 12 , or

13 , 2009 . Th e possibility tha t Oklahom aSkydivin g ma y hav e i n fac t per formedan y unsubstantiate dmaintenanc e i s no l pertinen t l o th e charge . (21 5 Tr . 1 1 throug h 21 6 Tr.3 ) PROPOSE D FINDIN G O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W N4682 F accumulate d19. 7 hour s (3 5 flight s wit h 100 passenger s total ) betwee n th e initia l FA A inspeciio n (conditio n notic e issue do n Jul y 11 , 2009 ) an dth e dal e ih e A& P mechani c indi

cate dtha t he ha dtake n correctiv e action , approximatel y six (6 ) day s late r when he replace dth e cracke dwindow , sto p [drilling ] crack s i n th e right

lower fla p ski n an dinstalle dreinforcemen t plate s o n th e cracke dright ilap skin , an dlef

t ftap. Th e Cessn asea

t stop s were no t

instalie dunti l th e dat e o f

th e nex t require dinspeciion , th e 100-hour inspection , o

n Jul y 24 , 2009 . Oklahom a

Okbhoni a Skydivin g Cenie r l-A A DOCki-' l N O CP10SW002 U DM S N o rAA-2010-121 52 7

Sk}'divin g operate dthi s aircraf t wit h open discrepancie s o

n Jul y 11 , 2009 , wit

h tw o passenger s o

n board , i n violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.405(a).' ^

V . Sectio n 9L13(a ) wa s violate dwhen , a s th e operato r of N4682F , Oklahom aSkvdivin g Center , operate dtha t

aircraf t i n areckles s o r

careles s manne r

s o a s t o endange r

th e lif e o r property ' o f

another . Pursuan t l o FA A Orde r 2150.3B . (Exh . A-2) , "Whe n aperso n operate s a n aircraf t i n vio

latio n of aspeciftc regulatio n othe r tha n 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.13,.. . tha t violatio n constitute s acareles s o r reckles s operatio n i

n an do f itself . I n thes e cases , th e misconduc t ma y als o resul t

i n aviolatio n o f 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.1 3 if

i t actuall y or

potentiall y endanger s th e live s or property o f

others. " Re

spondent' s violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . § 91.7(a) , operatin g a n unairworth y aircraf

t o n Jul y 11 . 2009 , carryin g tw o passengers , constitute s careles s operatio n i n an do f ilscl f unde r 1 4 C.F.R . § 91.13(a) . I n thi s case , Respondent' s operatio n o f N4682 F wa s no t

merel y atechnica l violatio n o f 1 4 C.F.R . §91.13(a) , bu

t th e operatio n wa s aseparate , independen t violation . Respondent' s operatio n in

volve da n unairworth y a s well a s unsaf e aircraft . Responden t

place dit s passenger s an dth e pilo t o f th e aircraf t a t risk . I n it s Answe r

(Exh . A-l) , Responden t

admit s tha

t o n th e dat e o f

th e event , Jul y 11,2009 , a t th e conclusio n o f

th e FA A inspection , an'"Aircraf

t Conditio n Notice. " FA

A For m8620-1 , wa s issue db y Inspecto r

Wes t (no w Boler ) listin g th e followin g discrepancies :

• Pilo t Sea t stop s d o no t

mee t manufacture r

specilication s (bolt s installed ) • Lef t han dftap ha s hol e

' ° Californi alleliiecli . FA A Orde r No . 2000-1 8 (Augus t

1 1 , 2000) , p . 16 ; iVaii s Agriculiura l Aviaiio n d/b/ aGrower s Ai r Service , KA

A Orde r No . 91- 8 (Jul y 5 . 1991) . pp . 15-16 . revie w Jen . sub . nom . Wait s A^ricuhura i Aviaiio n v . Busey . 97 7 F.2 d59 4 (D.C . Cir . 1992) . Okliihom aSkvdivin g Cvnlc r FA A IX)CKRT NO.'CI'IOSW002 0 OM S No . FAA-2010-121 52 8

• Right han dftap cracke d • Lef t han dpassenge r

sid e windo w cracke dan dduc t tape d (Exh . A-8 ) Th e Aircraf

t Conditio n Notic e describe dabov e note diha t th e item s liste d"are " considere d to b e a n imminen t

hazardto safety . Operatio n o f th e aircraf

t prio r to correctio n "will " b e contrary t o pertinen t

Federal Aviatio n Regulations . A special Flight Permi t "will " b e require dto b e issue d prio r t o operatio n i

f correctiv e actio n ha s not

bee n taken . Mr . Jac k

Reeve s wa s personall y show n eac h o f th e discrepancie s b

y th e FA A Inspectors , an dhande dth e Conditio n Notice . Mr . Reeves ' testimon y confirm s thi s a s wel l a s th e fac t tha t th e Inspector s firs t

showe dhimeac h o f

th e dis

crepancie s prio r

to issuin g th e Conditio n Notice . (29 7 Tr . line s 9-15 ) Mr . Reeve s testifie dtha

t Inspecto r Boler tol dhi mtha

i unles s th e discrepancie s wer e cor recte dth e nigh t

wa s goin g to b e contrary to th e regulation s an dma y b e aviolation . (29 7 Tr . 16-22 ; 29 8 Tr . 1-2

) Reeve s als o admitte dtha t Inspecto r Boler tol dhimtha

t if th e aircraf

t wa s How n [Oklahom aSkydiving ] ma y b e i n violation . (29 8 Tr . 3-6 ) A t thi s lime . Reeve s well-understoo d th e ramiftcation s o f

failin g to dea

l properl y wit

h thes e matters . Nevertheless , Mr . Reeve s re peatedl y tol dth e Inspector s o f hi s intent l o operat e th e aircraft , (5 8 Tr . 2-9 ; 59'fr . 5-7 ; 6 0 Tr . 7-11 ; 16 4 Tr . 12-14 ; 165 Tr . 9-20 ; 29 9 Tr . 12-14 ; 31 0 Tr . 3-8 ) (Exhs . A- 3 & 9) . an dthe n di djus t that . T o b e airworthy , a

n aircraf t mus t confor mto it s typ e desig n an db e i n aconditio n fo

r saf e operation . Fmery Worldwide Airlines , //7c. , FA A Order No . 97-3 0 (Octobe r

8 , 1997) . Therefore , an y matter s atTectin g th e safet y o f fligh t are matter s affectin g airworthiness . Despite bein g tol d an dshow n th e problems , an dbein g hande daConditio n Notice , Mr . Reeve s admitte dtha t th e aircraf t wa s operate do n Saturday an dSunday , Jul y 11t h an d12th , 2009 , an dtha t h e personall y fle w i t to hav e i l repaire do n Monday , Jul y 13"^, (29 9 Tr . 3-5) , withou t obtainin g aferr> ' permit .

Oklahom a Skvdivin y Ceiilc r FA A D0CK1: T NO . C1'IOSW002 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 52 9

(30 9 Tr . 15-17 ) Reeve s testifie dtha t th e aircraf

t mad e "guessed' ' 3 5 tak e off s an dlanding s tha t Saturda y an dSunda y prio r t o th e aircraf

t bein g repaire do n Jul y 17 , 2009 . Reeve s admitted , an dit i s unconlroverted , tha t

ih e ftap problem s an dbroke n windo w wer e no t repaired/replace dunti l Jul y 17 , 2009 . som e si x (6 ) day s later , durin g whic h tim e Mr . Reeve s testifie dtha t th e aircraf

t wa s flow n 19. 7 hours , o n a

t leas t 3 5 flights , an dcarrie d10 0 people . (30 6 Tr . 4-19 ; 30 1 Tr . 12-17 ; Tr . 30 6 4-13 ) A s th e owne r

o f Oklahom aSkydivin g an dth e aircraft , Mr . Reeve s wa s awar e o f th e dis

crepancies , havin g aconditio n notic e in-hand . A discrepanc y unaddresse drender s an daircraf t unairworthy . Genera l Aviation , FA A Orde r No . 1998-18 . Awar e o f th e fac t that th e discrepancie s wer e no t repaired , h e knowingl y operate dthi s aircraf t wit h ope n discrepancie s o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , wit h tw o passenger s on-board . H e carelessl y an drecklessl y place dth e passenger' s an dpilot' s live s i n potentia l risk. "

PROPOSE D FINDIN G O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Oklahom aSkydivin g knowingl y operate dN4682 F o n Jul y 11 , 2009 . wit h ope n discrep

ancie s an dtw o passenger s onboard . Oklahom aSkydivin g operate dN4682 F o n Jul y 11 , 2009 , i n a careles s an dreckles s manne r s o a s t o endange r

th e live s o r

properl y o f

anothe r i n violatio n o f

1 4 C.F.R . §91.13(a).'

-

Complainan t i s no t require d l o sho w tha t th e describe d conditio n wa s unsaf e i n fact . I t wa s enoug h t o demonsiral e tha t i t carrie d th e potentia l fo rhami . Riisfvnor e Helicopters . Inc. , FA A Orde rNo . 2010-002 3 (20 1 1) , cuin g Polyne sia n Ainva\'S . FA A Orde rNo . 1994-4 0 (Decembe r9 . \99A) \ DavidH . A/aj^r , FA A Orde rNo . 1997-1 2 (Februar>'20 , 1997) . ^ ^ i n ili e Maile r

o f Genera l Aviaiion , FA

A Orde r No . 1998-1 8 a

t 1 3 (Octobe r

9 , 1998) , £mm ' Worldwide Airlines . In c , FA A Orde r No . 97-3 0 (Octobe r

8 , 1997) . Okluhom y Skydivin g Ctmle r FA A DOCKt T NO . CP10SW002 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 53 0

V L CLOSIN G AN D SUMMATIO N I n it s ANSWER , Responden t Oklahom aSkydivin g DENIE D allegation s 3 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , an d1 2 o f th e Agency' s Complain t

T O WIT : 3 . A

t th e tim e o f

th e FAA' s inspection , th e aircraft' s tachomete r indicate d 8344. 3 hours . 7 . Shortl y thereafter , th e inspector s watche dN4682 F tax i b y thei r location , obser\'in g a

t leas t tw o (2 ) skydiver s o

n board , an

dthe n take-off

. 8 . N o correctiv e actio n wit h regardto th e Aircraf

t Conditio n Notic e ha s been receive db

y th e OKC FSDO . 9 . O n January 20 , 2010 , Inspector s fro mth e OKC FSD O agai n inspecte d N4682F , a s wel l a s th e aircraft' s maintenanc e records . 10 . Th e aircraft' s logboo k showe dtha

t th e discrepancie s liste do n th e abov e reference dconditio n notice , includin g th e cracke dwindo w an dftaps, wer e correcte db

y acertificate dmechani c o n Jul y 17 , 2009 , a t aircraf t tachomete r lim e o f 8364. 0 hours . 11 . N4682 F ha

daccumulate d19. 7 hour s betwee n th e initial FA A inspectio n (conditio n notic e issued ) an dth e dat e th e A& P mechani c indicate dtha t he ha dtake n correctiv e action , approximatel y six (6 ) day s later . PROPOSE D FINDIN G O F FAC T AN D CONCLUSION S O F LA W Allegatio n # 3 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (Exh . A- 3 i & 4 ) (3 0 Tr . 10-12 ) Allegatio n #7 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (Exh . A- 3 & 9 ) (5 9 Tr . 19-20 ; 16 7 Tr . 19-20 ; 30 6 Tr.4-19 ) Allegatio n # 8 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (30 9 Tr . 18-31 0 Tr . 2 ) Allegatio n # 9 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (20 9 Tr . 14-212Tr . 17 ) Allegatio n #1 0 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (Exh . A-10 , 1 1 & 12)(209Tr . 14-212Tr . 17 ) Allegatio n #1 1 wa s prove n durin g th e hearing : (10 0 Tr . 6 ; 10 4 Tr . 6 ; 11 2 Tr . 14 ; 11 3 Tr . 2-10 ; 119Tr.4 ) All o f th e factua

l allegation s i

n th e Complain t

were established . Wha

t remain s are th e

Oklahom a Skydivin g Ccnle r l-A A DOCKE T NO . CP10SW002 0 DM S N o FAA-2010-121 53 1

regulatory violation s allege di n allegatio n 12 , specifically , 1 4 C.F.R . § § 91.7(a) , 91.405(a) , an d 91.13(a) . Th e Agency , a s set fort h supr ai n it s propose dfindings o f fac t an dlaw , ha s prove n ih e violatio n o f

eac h o f thes e regulation s b

y apreponderanc e o f

th e evidence . V L PENALT Y Th e agenc y ha s issue denforcemen t guideline s fo

r it s employee s to follo w i n determinin g appropriat e sanctions . Th e guideline s als o advis e th e publi c o f th e sanctio n polic y tha

t th e Ad

ministrato r

intend s to abid e b

y i n adjudicatin g individual cases . Folsotn' s Air Service , Inc. , FA

A Orde r No . 2008-1 1 (Novembe r 6 , 2008) , p . 13 . (

A relevan t

excerp t wa s admitte da s Adminis

trator' s Exhibi t

A-2 . Th e Agenc y pray s tha

t th e cour t defer t o it s choic e an

damoun t o f sanctio n i

n thi s cas e an d asses s acivi l penalty i

n th e amoun t

o f $8,000 . Thi s amoun t

i s reasonabl e an dwarrante db y th e circumstances . I

t i s well-wilhi n th e guideline s o f FA A Orde r 2150.3 B sanctio n guidanc e upo n whic h i t i s based . (Exh . A-2 ) Responden t

Oklahom aSkydivin g operate daCessn a20 6 o n Jul y 11 . 2009 , afte

r failin g properl y l o addres s fou

r discrepancie s tha

t FA A inspector s ha

dfound . Responden t

unaccepiabl y compromise dth e safet

y o f eac h fiight

tha t i l operate dwhil e th e aircraf t wa s i n thi s unairworth y condition , specificall y th e fiight observe db

y th e Inspector s a s allege di n th e Agency' s Complaint . Thi s occurre dwit

h Respondent' s owner , Mr . Reeves , havin g been hande daConditio n Notic e b y th e Inspector s specificall y statin g tha t th e item s lis t

are considere dto b e a

n iinminen t

hazardto safely , tha t operatio n o f

th e aircraf

t prio r l o correctio n will b e contrary to pertinen t Federa l Avia

tio n Regulations , an dtha

t aspecial fiight

permi t will b e require dto b e issue dprio r to operatio n if

Okliihoni J Skydivin g Ctnie r •A A DOCKE T NO.'C!MUSW002 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 53 2

correctiv e actio n ha s no l been taken . A civi l penall y o f

$8,00 0 i s warranted . Th e penaft y will appropriatel y fulfil l FA A policy . I t wil l promot e enforcemen t o f th e FAR s an

dhelp dete r

thi s Responden t

an dother s i

n it s positio n fro moperatin g i

n violatio n o f

them . Th e Agenc y therefore pray s tha t acivi l penalt

y o f $8,00 0 b e sustaine dagains t

Oklahom aSkydivin g Cente r fo r violatin g 1 4 C.F.R . § § 91.7(a) , 91.405(a) , an d 91.13(a) . VII . PRAYE R WHEREFORE , th e Agenc y ask s th e Cour t l o fin dtha t th e Agenc y ha s met

it s burde n o f proo f i n shovvin g b y apreponderanc e o f

th e reliable , probative , an dsubstantiv e evidenc e tha t Oklahom aSkydivin g Cente r operate dN4682 F i

n a n unairworth y condition , withou t recodin g an d repairin g discrepancies , an di n acareles s or

reckles s manner , fo

r whic h acivil.penalty o f

$8,00 0 mus t b e sustained . Respe^tfuily_submilte dlhis/-^/t h da y o f February , 2012 .

Gregor y Attorney , S^feli^EnforcementJJfanc h Federa l AviationAHrninisTfatio n 260 1 Meacha

mBlvd. , 66 3 For t Worth . T X 7613 7 Phone : 817/222-508 3 FAX : 817/222-594 5 e-mail : gregor>'.s.lander@faa.go v

Oklahom u Skydivm g Cente r FA A DOCKH T NO . CI'10SW002 0 DM S No . FAA-2010-121 53 3

LIS T O F CITATION S

Americ aWes

t Airlines , FA

A Orde r No . 96- 3 (Feb . 13 , 1996) . Californi aHelilech , FA

A Orde r No . 2000-1 8 (Augus t

11 , 2000) . Copsey , NTS B Orde r

EA-344 8 (1991) . Delawar e Skyways . LLC , FA A Orde r No . 2005- 6 (Marc h 8 , 2005) . Emer y Worldwide Airlines . Inc. , FA A Order No . 97-3 0 (Octobe r

7 . 1997) . Folsom'sAi r

Service . Inc. , FA

A Order No . 2008- 1 1 (Novembe r 6 . 2008) . Fosier , 200 4 W

L 179534 1 (Jun e 29 , 2004) , appea l dismissed , NTS B Orde r No . EA-511 2 (2004) . Genera l Aviaiion , FA

A Order No . 1998-1 8 (Octobe r

9 , 1998) . Mayer , FA

A Order No . 1997-1 2 (February 20 , 1997) . Newman . 1 NTS B 2008 , 201 0 (1972),/?^/./o r rev/>u't/emfc/ . 49 4 F.2 d121 9 (2 dCir . 1974) . Polynesia n Airways . Inc. . FA A Order No . 1994-4 0 (Decembe r

9 , 1994) . Rushmore , FA

A Order No . 2010-002 3 (Octobe r 3 , 2011) . USAir , FA

A Orde r No . 96-2 5 (Augus t

12 , 1996) . Wall s Agricultura l Aviation , Inc . v . Busey , 97 7 F.2 d59 4 (9' ^ Cir . 1992) ,

Oklahom aSkydivin g Center •A A DOCKK

T N O CP10SW002 0 DM S N o F.\A-20I0-121 53 4

CERTIFICAT E O F SERVIC E I hereb y certif

y tha t th e signe dorigina l an dacop y o f Complainant' s Brie f

o n Propose dFinding s o f Fac t an dConclusion s o f

Issu e o f Law ; Closin g an dSummation , hav e been sen t thi s date b

y CERTIFIE D MAIL-RETURN RECEIP T REQUESTED , an dvi aFirs t Clas s Mail , lo : FA A 80 0 Independenc e Ave. , S.W . Washington , D C 2059 1 Attn : Hearin g Docke t

Clerk ; AGC-43 0 Wilbur Wright Buildin g - Suite 2W100 0 I certif y tha t acop y o f Complainant' s Brie f

o n Propose dFinding s o f

Fact an dConclusion s o f

Issu e o f Law ; Closin g an dSummation , ha s been sen t thi s dat e b

y CERTIFIE D MAIL-RETURN RE

CEIP T REQUESTED , to : Th e Honorabl e RichardD . Goodwin , Administrativ e La w Judg e Offic e o f Hearings , M-2 0 U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n 1200 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , S.E . Washington , DC 2059 0 Tel : 202-366-213 9 Fax : 202-366-753 6 Bret A . Glenn , Respondent' s Counse l Bre t A . Glenn , Atlome v a

t Law , P.C . 41 4 N.W.4'' ^ Street , Suite 20 0 Oklahom aCity , O K

7310 2 Tel : 405-702-498 0 Fax : 405-702-498 4 

# "/hi(UimtilMiJ^ ^ ^^^// ^ MarquiU aRobinso n Dal e Paralegal Specialis t Safet y Enforcement

Branc h Federal Aviatio n Administratio n

Oklahom a Skydivin g Cenie r FA A DOCKE T NO . CIM0SW002 0 DM S No . i-AA-2UlO-121 5