U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

May 14, 2013 

Northwest Mountain Region 

Office of Regional Counsel 

Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, 

Wyoming 

1601 Lind Avenue S.W. 

Renton, Washington 98057 

Tel: (425) 227-1417 

Fax: (425) 227-1007 

robert.spitzer@faa.gov 

VIA FACSIMILE AND CERTIFIED MAIL- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

Attn: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Hearing Docket 

Federal Aviation Administration 

(Wilbur Wright Bldg-- Room 2Wl000) 

800 Independence Avenue S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20591 

Re: In the Matter of Alaska Airlines Inc., FAA Case No. 2011NM020013 

Enclosed is an original and one copy of a tequest fo~e~1~.d. bomplaint in the abovereferenced proceeding. t N01 :1.lli c~lt;cl.LJ. I 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requests that the hearing in this matter be held in 

Seattle, Washington, and expects that the hearing will last two (2) days 

For scheduling purposes, FAA attorney, Robert Spitzer will be unavailable, July 22-26,2013. 

Please address all communications for the FAA to the undersigned at: 

Sincerely, 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Northwest Mountain Region, ANM-7 

1601 LindAvenueS.W. 

Renton, Washington 98057 

Telephone: (425) 227-1007 

FAX: (425 227-1007 

Robert Spitzer 

FAA Attorney 

I __. VG~gs ~o' : :J 

Lf. 0\ -\ l U-vlv:-J! 

Enclosures: Request for Hearing (Appeal) 

Complaint RECEIVED 

MAY 2 0 20f3 

HEARING DOCKET 
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ROBERT SPITZER 

FAA OFFICE OF REGIONAL COUNSEL 

1601 LIND AVE., SW 

RENTON, WASHINGTON 98057 

TELEPHONE: (425) 227-1417 

FACSIMILE: ( 425) 227-1007 

RECEIVED 

MAY 2 0 2013 

HEARING DOCKET 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

OFFICE OF HEARINGS 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

In the Matter of: 

FAA Case No. 2011NM020013 

Alaska Airlines Inc. 

JUDGE NOT ASSIGNED 

JUDGE NOT ASSIGNED: 

COMPLAINT 

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

pursuant to Rule 208 of the Rules of Practice (14 Code of Federal Regulations (C.P.R.)§ 

13 .208), and states as follows: 

I. 

On May I, 2013, Alaska Airlines Inc. (Alaska), was advised through a Final Notice of 

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

42 $16,000. On May 8, 2013, Alaska, through legal counsel, submitted a written request for a 

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II. 

Alaska is now and was at all times relevant herein the holder of Air Carrier 

Certificate No. ASAA802A. 

COMPLAINT 

FAA v Alaska Airlines Inc. 

FAA Case No: 2011NM020013 

Page2of6 

ROBERT SPITZER, FAA ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227-1417: FAX: (425) 227-1007 
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The above-described certificate was issued pursuant to 14 C.P.R. Part 119, and 

permits Alaska to operate aircraft pursuant to 14 C.P.R. Part 121. 

At all times relevant herein Paragraph DOSS of Alaska's Operations Specifications 

(OpSpecs) authorized Alaska to use N323AS, a Boeing 737-990 Civil Aircraft 

(aircraft), in the conduct of Alaska's Part 121 operations. 

At all times relevant herein, Paragraph A023 of Alaska's OpSpecs authorized the use 

of Alaska's Flight Operations Manual Section 6.100 Bulletin I 0-25. 

At all times relevant herein, the above described Flight Operations Manual, Section 

6.100 Bulletin I 0-25, prohibited Alaska aircraft from taking off when frost was 

present on an aircraft's upper wing surface. 

On or about January 7, 2011, Alaska operated the aircraft as Flight 86 (a Part 121 

flight) between Anchorage, Alaska and Seattle, Washington. 

The above described flight departed Anchorage, Alaska despite the fact that frost was 

adhering to the aircraft's upper wing surfaces. 

By reason ofthe above, Alaska took off with an aircraft when frost was adhering to 

the wings of the aircraft. 

III. 

By reason of the foregoing facts and circumstances, Alaska violated the following 

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

a. Section 119.5(1), when it operated the aircraft under Part 121 when it failed 

to comply with its Operations Specifications by taking off, the aircraft with 

frost on the upper wing surface; 

b. Section 121.629(b ), when it took off with an aircraft with frost on the upper 

wing surface. 

In accordance with Sections 4630l(a) and (d) of Title 49 of the United States Code 

(U.S.C.) (Transportation) [49 U.S.C. §§ 4630l(a) and (d)], Alaska is liable for a civil 

penalty not to exceed $27,500 for each of the violations noted. 

COMPLAINT 

FAA v Alaska Airlines Inc. 

FAA Case No: 2011NM020013 

Page 3 of6 

ROBERT SPITZER, FAA. ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227-1417; FAX: (425) 227-1007 
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Under the facts and circumstances of this case, a civil penalty of $16,000 is 

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appropriate. 

WHEREFORE, the Agency, by counsel, respectfully requests that the Administrative 

Law Judge enter an order that Alaska be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of$16,000. 

Respectfully submitted this day of 141

h of May, 2013. 

.~······· Robert Spitzer 

FAA Attorney 

COMPLAINT 

FAA v Alaska Airlines Inc. 

FAA Case No: 2011NM020013 

Page 4 of6 

ROBERT SPITZER, FAA ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227-1417; FAX: (425) 227-1007 
1 ANSWER 

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3 In accordance with Section 13.209 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Alaska, must answer 

4 this Complaint not later than thirty (30) days from the time it is served on it. Failure to file an 

5 Answer within thirty (30) days without good cause shall be deemed an admission of the truth 

6 of each allegation contained in the Complaint [14.C.F.R. § 13.209(±)]. 

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53 COMPLAINT 

FAA v Alaska Airlines Inc. 

FAA Case No: 2011NM020013 

Page 5 of6 

ROBERT SPITZER, FAA ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227-1417; FAX: (425) 227-1007 
1 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

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3 I hereby certify that the foregoing Complaint has been served via facsimile and Certified Mail 

4 - Return Receipt Requested this date, to the fo!Jow:ng: 

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6 Federal Aviation Administration (Original and one copy) 

7 Attn: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

8 Wilbur Wright Building- Suite 2Wl 000 

9 800 Independence Avenue SW 

10 Washington, D.C. 20591 

n Fax: (202) 493-5142 

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13 I also certify that the foregoing Complaint has been served via First-Class and Certified Mail 

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

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Geoffrey M. Grindeland 

Mills, Meyers, Swartling 

1000 Second Avenue, 301

h Floor 

Seattle, WA 98104-1064 

Dated this 14th day of May, 2013. 

Mary Ai1I!ith 

Office of Regional Counsel (ANM-7) 

Federal Aviation Administration 

COMPLAINT 

FAA v Alaska Airlines Inc. 

FAA Case No: 2011NM020013 

Page 6 of6 

1601 Lind Ave. SW 

Renton, WA 98057 

( 425) 227-2925 

ROBERT SPITZER, FAA ATTORNEY 

TEL: (425) 227-1417; FAX: (425) 227-1007