09/25/2014 08:33 

U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

4252271007 

September 26,2014 

ANM7 

Northwest Mountain Region 

Office of Regional Counsel 

Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, 

Wyoming 

1601 Lind Avenue S.W. 

Renton, washington 98057 

Tel: (425) 227-2161 

Fax: (425) 227-1007 

jeffrey.harper@faa.gov 

VIA FACSIMILE AND CERTIFIED MAIL- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Attn: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Wilbur Wright Building 

800 IndependeDce Avenue, Southwest 

Washington, DC 20591 

Re: In the Matter of SkyWestA-irlines, Inc., FAA Case No. 20.1.4WP910006 

Enclosed please find a copy of a request for hearing and the original and one copy of the 

Complaint in this proceeding. 

PAGE 02/10 

The FAA requests that the hearing in this matter be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, and expects 

th<: hearing will last one day. For scheduling purposes, counsel for the FAA is unavailable on 

the following dates in 2014: October 24-27, November 10--24, December 12-15, and 

December 19-29. In 2015, counsel for the FAA is unavailable January 23-26, February 20-

23, March 20-23, ApriJ 24--27, May 18, June 12-15, July 24--27, August 21-24, and 

September 18-21. 

Please address all communications to the undersigned at: 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Northwest Mountain Region, ANM-7 

1601 Lind Avenue Southwest 

Renton, Washington 98057 

(425) 227-2161, Fax: (425) 227-1007 

Enclosure: Request for Hearing (Appeal) 

Complaint 

cc: Mr. Todd En1erson, Esq. 
0g/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 

Jeffrey M. Harper 

FAA Office of Regional Counsel 

1601 Lind Avenue, Southwest 

Renton, Washington 98057 

T (425) 227-2161 

F (425) 227-1007 

ANM7 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

OFFICE OF HEARINGS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

In the Matter of: 

Sky West Airlines, Inc. 

FAA Case No. 2014WP910006 

DMS No. Not yet assigned. 

COMPLAINT 

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

pursuant to Rule 208 of the Rules of Practice 14 C.F.R. § 13.208, and states as follows: 

I. 

PAGE 03/10 

On September 9, 2014, Sky West Airlines, Inc. was advised through a Final Notice of 

Proposed Civil Penalty that the FAA proposed to assess a civil penalty in the amount of 

$280,375. On September 15,2014, Sky West Airlines, Inc. submitted a written request for 

a hearing. 

II. 

l. Sky West Airlines, Inc. (Sky West) is now, and was at all times relevant herein, the 

holder of Air Carrier Certifi.cate No. SWIAOJ !A, and conducts its operations 

pursuant to Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), 14 Code of 

Federal Regulations (C.P.R.) Chapter I. 

2. At all times relevant herein, Sky West held appropri.ate Operations Specifications 

(OpSpecs) certifying it would comply with the requirements of 14 C.P.R. Part 120 

and 49 C.F.R. Part 40 for its Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Preventi.on Program. 

3. Selections were made from Sky West's random testing pool on July 6, 2012, and 

January 21, 2013. 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 PAGE 04/10 

4. The following Sky West employees were assigned to safety·sensitive fun.ctions 

with Sky West on and immediately before July 6, 2012: 

Dellllis Adams Chris Aguirre 

Troy Allen Thomas Altenburg 

Joe Anderson Nathan Andersen 

Helmuth Araya Bryan Atkinson 

Jeffrey Baker Albert Barcena 

Ian Benton Daniel Berru 

Randy Bugni Robert Bunnell 

James Bybee Arnold Cabantac 

Joseph Casey Marc Chance 

Gary (Scott) Clark Robert Clarke 

Timothy Courtney Sean Danet 

David Ebersole Eri.c Engelking 

Daniel Estrada Bruce Evans 

David Garcia Michael Gerthoffer 

Clinton Godfrey Franz Go! beck 

James Govier Nicholas Gutknecht 

James Hall Charles Hampton 

Lawrence Hanna Christian Hansen 

William Harmon Augo Harris 

Guy H.awkins James Hayes 

Christoph Hechtle Andrew Hendrickson 

Corey Hogberg Ryan Holland 

David Hosler Matthew Huckabay 

Robert .T ardine J edadiah Jindra 

J errett Jones Brian Joyce 

Nathan Kloster David Kuhnhausen 

Michael LaFollette Gregory Lake 

TaeLee Andres Limon 

Eric Lopez Brian Lott 

John Malinka Keith Malnar 

Brian Marion Phillip A. Martin 

John Maxwell Laura Me.ldell 

James Mooney Rodolfo Morales 

Richard Mueller Adam Mundt 

Cmnplai.nt 

ln t:he M.a.r.ter of Sky\\' est Ah·lines, lnc. 

Fi\A Coso No. 2014Wl'9.1 0006. DMS No. Not Assigned 

Page Z of7 

Marco Alcazar 

Douglas Ambrose 

PhilJip Anthony 

Daniel Ayotte 

Anthony Bartlett 

Craig Brown 

Aaron Buttars 

Al.ejandro Caravantes 

Kevin Chio 

Damon Clement 

Ian Dougherty 

Kenneth England 

Kenneth frasson 

Gary Giessen 

.T. Gonzalez Lucatero 

.T edidial< Gwi.nn 

William Hancock 

Joshua Harmon 

Christopher Hawes 

Jill Hebert 

Jason Hintgen 

Lynn Holyoak 

Bobby James 

Mark Johnson 

Joshua. Kelly 

Daniel Kurtz 

David Lalowski 

David Lopez 

Joseph Lyons 

Michael Manding 

Oscar Martinez 

Brandon Miller 

Raymond Morse 

Paul Nelson 

JEFFREY M.HARI'ER, FAA ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227·2161; FAX: (425) 227·1007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 

Shawn Nelson Howard Newson Scott Nordbye 

Casey Opdahl Gustavao Ortega Mark Osborn 

Andy Ostler John Paley Charles Peterson 

Dave Pfingsten Robert Phelps Simon Pipe 

Donald Powell Robert Price Peter Questi 

Todd Rimmereid Keith Robinson Angel Rodriguez-Alicea 

John Rush Robe.rt Salisbury Eliseo Sanchez 

Randy Schaaf Jim Schoenfelder Todd Schreier 

Sean Shepard Bradley Smith Bryann Smith 

Darin Smith Jacob Smith Jeffrey Smith 

Kevin Sokol Todd Spindler Timothy Stamps 

Jeremy Stefanski John Stewart John Syme 

John Szmurlo Robert Taylor Reginald Teague 

Michael (Tupac) Tveten Thao Vaug Edward Vasquez 

Yang Vue Scott Waters Ian Weight 

John Whitcomb Thomas Wilks Michael Witek 

John Zielinski 

5. The employees listed in paragraph 4 were not in Sky West's random testing pool 

on July 6, 2012. 

6. Mr. Brandon Jennings: 

a. On and immediately before January 21,2013, Sky West employee Mr. 

Jennings was assigned to safety-sensitive function.s with Sky West. 

PAGE 05/10 

b. On January 21, 2013, Mr. Jennings was not in Sky West's random testing pool. 

7. Mr. Matthew Barber: 

a. Sky West hired Mr. Barber to perfom1 a safety-sensitive function on 

May 23, 2012. 

b. Sky West did not receive a verified negative drug test result for Mr. Barber 

before May 24,2012. 

8. Ms. Adriana Chagas: 

a. Sky West transferred Ms. Chagas to a safety-sensitive function on 

July 26,2013. 

Comptaint 

In the MattcrofSkyWc>tAirlin<>S, Inc. 

FAA Case No. 2014WP910006. DMS No. Noi:A$Si~'l1ot! 

l~age 3 of 7 

JEFFREY M. HARPER. FAA ATTORNEY 

Tf,L: (425) 227·21 61; FAX: (425) 227-.1007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 

b. Sky West did not receive a verified negative drug test result for Ms. Chagas 

before July 29,2013. 

9. Sky West subjected the following employees to drug testing on the dates listed: 

Employee 

Nexus Geronimo I. Gallenno 

Yue Zaho 

Ryan Quintanilla 

Date of Test 

April 28, 2012 

November 27, 2012 

November 28,2012 

10. The employees described in paragraph 9 were not assigned to safety-sensitive 

duties on the dates they were subjected to testing. 

PAGE 05/10 

11. The employees described in paragraph 9 were uot iuvolved iu any accidents ou or 

about the dates wheu they were subjected to post-accident testing. 

12. The tests described in paragraph 9 were documented on a Federal. Drug Testing 

Custody and Control Form (CCF). 

13. The CCFs described in paragraph 12 specified "post accident" as the reason for 

the test. 

14. On May 31, 2013, Sky West's Medical Review Officer canceled a return to duty 

test due to the failure to collect the specimen under direct observation. 

15. Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) written reports concerning follow-up 

evaluations, dated June 8, 2013 and July I 0, 2013, did not include the inclusive 

dates ofthe employees' pJ:Ogram participation. 

III. 

1. By reason of the foregoing circumstance(s), Sky West violated the following sections 

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 C.P.R.): 

a. Section 120.105, in that employees performing safety-sensitive functions were not 

subject to a drug testing program implemented in accordance with 14 C.F.R 

Part 120, Subpart E. 

b. Section 120.109(a)(l), in that it hired an employee to perform a safety-sensitive 

function listed in 14 C.P.R. Section 120, 1 05 when it did not flrst receive a verified · 

negative drug test result for that individual. 

CtHT!.plai,,t 

In the Ma.iter <r[SkyWe.':'tA.it·li.n.cs, Inc. 

FAA C•se No. 2014WP91000t\, DMS No. Not Assigned 

hg¢4- (>f7 

JEFFREY M, HARPER, FAA A1TORNSY 

TEL; (425) 227-2161; FAX; (425) :!27·1007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 

c. Section 120.1 09(a)(2), in that it transferred an individual from a non-safetysensitive to a safety-sensitive function when it did not first receive a verified 

negative drug test result for that individual. 

d. Section 120.215(a), in that employees performing safety-sensitive functions were 

not subject to an alcohol testing program implemented in accordance with 

14 C.F.R. Part 120, Subpart F. 

2. In addition, by reason of the foregoing facts and circumstances, it appears that 

Sky West violated the following sections of Title 49, C.F.R.: 

a. Section 40.47(a), in that it used a Federal CCF for a non-Federal urine collection. 

PAGE 07/10 

b. Section 40.209(b)(6), in that its MRO declared a test canceled based on an error 

that does not have a signi.:flcant adverse effect on the right ofthe employee to have 

a fair and accurato test; specifically, the failure to directly observe or monitor a 

collection that the rule require to be directly observed or monitored. 

c. Section 40.3ll(d)(6), in that its SAP's written reports concerning follow-up 

evaluations did not contain the inclusive dates cfth.e employees' program 

participation. 

3. Under 49 U.S.C. §§ 46301 (a) and (d), Sky West is liable for a civil penalty notto 

exceed $27,500 for each o:fthe violations noted. 

4. Under the facts and circumstances ofthis case, a civil penalty of $280,375 is 

appropriate. 

Respectfully submitted this 26th day of September, 2014. 

Complaint 

In t11c: Matter of SkyV...'est Ail'lines. rnc. 

I'AA Case No. :2014WP9.1 ()006. DMS No. Not Assigned 

PageS (.lf7 

JBPPR.RY M. HARPER, I' AAATTORNEY 

TEL; (425) 227-:2161; FAX; (425) 227-.1007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 PAGE 08/10 

ANSWER 

In accordance with Section 13.209(a) of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Sky West must 

answer this Complaint not later than thirty (30) days after the date the Complaint is 

served. Failure to file an Answer within thirty (30) days without good cause shall be 

deemed an admission of the tru:th of each allegation contained in the Complaint. 

14 C.F.R. § 13.209(i). 

C/)rnplail~1 

In the Matter of Sky West Airlines. In¢:. 

FAA Case No. 20l4WP910006. DMS No. Not A"igned 

Page 6 of7 

JEFFREY M. HAR!'ER, FAA ATTORNEY 

1'.EL: (425) 227-216\: FAX.: (425) 227·.1.007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I hereby certifY that the foregoing Complaint has been served via facsimile and Certified 

Mail -Return Receipt Requested this date, to the following: 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Attn: Hear:ing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Wilbur Wright BuiJ<ling 

800 lndependenoe Avenue Southwest 

Washington, DC 20591 

Fax.: (202) 493-5142 

I hereby certifY that the foregoing Complaint has been served via e-mail and Certified 

Mail -Return Receipt Requested this date, to the following: 

Todd Emerson, Esq. 

Sky West Airlines 

444 South River Road 

St. George, UT 84 790 

T (435) 634-3530 

F (435) 634-3505 

temerson@skywest.com 

Dated this 26'h day of September, 2014. 

4Cr;;:;;Ji.Jz_~lid'~,. __ Office 

ana Stephensoif 

of Regional Counsel 

~ 

(ANM-7) 

Federal Aviation. Administration 

1601 Lind Avenue SW 

Renton, W A 98057 

(425) 227"2164 

Corn.pll-l.int 

In. the Ma.tter of Sk:y'vVcst Airlir~cs. Inc. 

FAA Case No, 2014WP91 0006. DMS No. Nol AS>igned 

Page7of7 

JEFFJ~E~ M. HAt(PJ;;R, FAA A'noRNBY 

u;!,: (425) 227-216ld'AX; (425) 227-1007 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 PAGE 10/10 

Direct Dial: 435.634.3530 

Direct FllX: 435.634.3505 

e-mai.l: lemerson@skywest.com 

Regional Counsel 

SEP 1 8 2014 

ANM-7 

September 15,2014 

VIA FEDERAL EXPRESS 

Federal Aviation Administration 

ATTN: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Wilbur Wright Building- Suite 2Wl 000 

800 Independence Avenue SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

Re: Case No- 2014Wr910006 

Dear Sir/Madam.: 

Tile Final Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty in the above-referenced case was 

received in our office on September 12, 2014. 

Pursuant to §13.16 (e) (2) (ii) of Federal Aviation Regulations, Sky West Airlines 

hereby requests a hearing on this matter. 

Sincerely, 

Todd C. Emerson 

Director- Govemm.ent and Legal Affairs 

TCE/jb 

cc: Jeffrey M. Harper 

444 South River Road /i S~ George, Utah 84790 !i Phone 435.634.3000 .. / www.skywestcom 
09/25/2014 08:33 4252271007 ANM7 PAGE 01/10 

FACSLi\fiLE MESSAGE 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINJSTRA TION 

OFFICE OF "REGIONAL COUNSEL 

ANM-7 

1601 LIND A VENUE S.W. 

RENTON, WASHINGTON 98057 

The information contained in this facsimile message is legally privileged and confidential 

information and is intended only for the use of the individual named on this cover sheet. 

lfthe reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notifi.ed that any 

use, dissemination, distribution, or copy ofthis facsimile is strictly prohibited. If you 

have received this facsimile in error, please immediately notifY us by telephone at 

425-227-2007. 

DATE: September 26, 2014 NO. PAGES: 9 including cover 

TO: Docket Cieri{ AGC-430 FROM: Jeffrey M. Harper 

FAX NO.: 202-493-5142 FAX NO.: 425-227 -I 007 

PHONE NO.: PHONE NO.: 425-227-2161 

RE: Sky West Airlines EMAIL: JE"PFREY.HARPER@FAAGOV 

2014WP910006 

Complaint