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o f Pages : 2 3 (includin g thi s cove r page ) Dale : Apii l19 , 201 0 Re : Sk yWes t

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. 2009NM06004 8 Dea r Ladie s an dGentlemen ; Enclose dareon eoriginalan don ecop y of SkyWes t Airlines , Inc
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1 MICHAE L L . DWORKIt ^ 2 MICHAK L L . DWORKIT ^ an d ASSOCIATE S 3 46 5 Californi a Street , Suit e 21 0 4 Sa n Francisco , Californi a 9410 4 5 Telephone : (415 ) 421-250 0 6 FAX : (415 ) 421-256 0 7 Email : lawOavialex-co m 8 9 Attorne yfo r SKYWES T AIRLINES , INC .

1 0 1 1 1 2 UNITE D STATE S O F AMERIC A DEPARTMEN T O F TRANSPORTATIO N FEDERA L AVIATIO NADMINISTRATIO N
1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 I S 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 I n th e Matte r of :

SKYWES T AIRLINES , I«C . FA ACAS E NO . 2009NM06004 8 DocJce t No . (unassigned ) Judge : (No t Assigned )

ANSWE R T O COMPIAIN T

2 4 COME S NOW , SKYWES T AIRLINES , INC . (hereinafte r referre d t o a s 2 5 "SKYWEST" ) b yan d throug hit s undersigne d counsel , answer s th e 2 6 Federa l Aviatio n Adrtiinistratio n ('''FAA")'' s Complaint , date d Apri l 2 , 2 7 2010 . 2 B I . 2 9 1
. Answeriiri g Paragrap hI
. 1
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1 Administratio n ("FAA" ) propose d t o asses s a civi l penalt yi n th e 2 amoun t o f $182,500.00 , and tha t o n o r abou t Marc h29 , 2010 , 3 SKYWEST , throug hit s undersigne d counsel , submitte d a writte n 4 reques t fo r a hearing . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T 5 denie s eac han d every , al l and singular , allegation s containe d 6 therein , and eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 7 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . SKYWES T furthe r 8 aver s tha t it s writte n reques t fo r a hearin g wa s timel yand i n ful l 9 complianc e wit hth e applicabl e rule s o f practic e i n FA Acivi l 1 0 penalt yproceedings . 1 1 II . 1 2 1 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 1 , o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 3 adnit s tha t i r i s now , an d a t al l time s mentione d herei n was , th e 1 4 holde r o f Ai r Carrie r Certificat e No , SWIAOll Aand tha t a t al l 1 5 time s mejitioned i n th e Complaint , SKYWES T wa s conductin g it s ai r 1 6 carrie r operation s unde r pertinen t provision s o f th e Federa l 1 7 Aviatio n Regulations , includin g bu t no t limite d t o Federa l Aviatio n 1 8 Regulatio n Par t 12 1 (hereinafte r "FA R Par t 121") . Excep t a s 1 9 expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac hand every , al l an d 2 0 singular , allegation s containe d therein ^ an d eac han d ever ypar t 2 1 thereof , bot hgenerall yand specifically , conjunctivel yand 2 2 disjunctively . 2 3 2
. Answerin g Paragrap hII
. 2
. o f th eComplaint , SKYWES Tadmit s 2 4 tha t

Sectio nD07 2 o f it s Operaiiion s Specification s ("OpSpecs" )

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1 require s i t t o maintai n it s aircraf t i n accordanc e wit hit s 2 Continuou s Airworthines s Maintenanc e Progra mC'CAMP") , whic h 3 includes , inte r alia , th e provision s o f it s Genera l Maintenanc e 4 Manua l ('"GMM" ) . Excep t a s expressl yadinitT:e d above , SKYWES T denie s 5 eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein , 6 an d eac hand ever ypar t "chereof , bor hgenerall yan d specifically , 7 conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . SKYWES T affirmativel yaver s tha t 8 i n additio n t o th e GMM , th e CAM P i s comprise d of , inte r alia , 9 Standar d Practices , Maintenance/Inspectio n Programs , OpSpecs , OE M 1 0 Manuals , Substantia l Maintenanc e Vendors' ' Procedur e Manual s an d 1 1 Accessor ySho p Processe s Manuals , 1 2 3 . Answerin g Paragrap hII , 3 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T admit s 1 3 tha t it s GMMincorporate s byreferenc e th e Embrae r EMB-12 0 1 4 Maintenanc e an d Inspectio n Programa s wel l a s th e EMB-12 0 1 5 Maintenanc e Manual . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T 1 6 denie s eac hand every , • al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 7 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 8 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . SKYWES T 1 9 affirmativel yaver s tha t th e GM Madditionall yincludes , inte r alia , 2 0 SKYWEST' B Standar d Practices . 2 1 4 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 4 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 2 admit s tha t OpSpe c D08 5 authorize s i t t o us e N5 7 9SW , an EMB-120-E R 2 3 civi l aircraf t i n tl» e conduc t o f it s FA R Par t 12 1 Operations

2 4 Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac hand every .



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1 al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein , an d eac han d ever y 2 par t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yand 3 disjunctively . SKYWES T affirmativel yaver s tha t SKYWES T currentl y 4 ha s 5 5 EMB-12 0 aircraf t i n it s fleet , bu t sinc e 1987 , ha s operate d 5 ove r 1 0 0 EMB-120' s and tha t a t on e time , SKYWES T ha d 9 4 EMB-120' s 6 liste d i n it s OpSpec s makin g i t th e larges t EMB-12 0 operato r i n th e 7 world . 8 5 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 5 . o f th e Cojnpiaint , SKYWES T 9 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 0 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 1 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . SKYWES T 1 2 affirmativel yaver s tha t o n Januar y18 , 2009 , N5759SW' s fligh t cre w 1 3 reporte d tha t th e righ t mai n landin g gea r ^'too k 3 time s t o com e 1 4 up. " 1 5 6 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 6 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 6 admit s tha t niaintenanc e personne l replace d th e righ t mai n landin g 1 7 gea r up-loc k wir e harness . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , I S SKYWES T denie s eac hand every , ai l and singular , allegation s 1 9 containe d therein , and eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall y 2 0 an d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . SKYWES T 2 1 affirmativel yaver s tha t th e mai n landin g gea r wa s inspected , 2 2 adjuste d an d functionall ytested ; tha t al l functiona l test s wer e 2 3 satisfactor yan d tha t th e aircraf t wa s returne d t o servic e i n a n 24 airworthycondition .



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1 7 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 7 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 admit s tha t o n Januar y20 , 2009 , th e pilo t o f N5 7 59S Wreporte d th e 3 forwar d lef t doo r o n th e righ t mai n landin g gea r di d no t clos e 4 afte r th e pilo t pu t th e landin g gea r leve r t o th e ''up " positio n and 5 tha t th e pilo t cycle d th e gea r and retractio n wa s normal . Excep t 6 a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , al l an d 7 singular , allegation s containe d therein , an d eac hand everypar t S thereof , bot hgenerall yand specifically , conjunctivel yand 9 disjunctively . 1 0 8 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 8 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 1 admit s tha t SKYWES T maintenanc e personne l place d NS'^SS Won jack s 1 2 bu t coul d no t replicat e an ydiscrepancy . Excep t a s expressl y 1 3 admitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , 1 4 allegation s containe d therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , 1 5 bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 1 6 SKYWES T affirmativel yaver s tha t th e mai n landin g gea r wa s 1 7 inspected , adjuste d an d functionall ytested ; tha t al l functiona l 1 8 test s wer e satisfactor yand tha t th e aircraf t wa s returne d t o 1 9 servic e i n a n airworthycondition . 2 0 9 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 9 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 1 denie s tha t th e pilot , o r an yothe r crewmember , reporte d a n ''unsaf e 2 2 landin g gea r indication" . SKYWES T admit s tha t o n Februar y21 , 2 3 2009 , and afte r takeoff , th e pilo t o f N579S Wcycle d th e gea r thre e 2 4 time s befor e th e landin g gea r indicatio n wa s norma l an d tha t thi s

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1 occurre d approximatel y3 2 day s an d 9 4 flights/cycle s followin g th e 2 mainte;nanc e performe d o n Januar y20 , 2009 , a s allege d i n Paragrap h 3 8 o f th e Complaint . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T 4 denie s eac hand every , al l and singular , allegation s containe d 5 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 6 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 7 10 . Answerin g Paragrap hII , 10 . c f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 8 admit s tha t SKYWES T maintenanc e personne l adjuste d th e righ t mai n 9 landin g gea r up-loc k proximit yswitche s an d remove d an d replace d 1 0 th e mai n landin g gea r handl e assembly . SKYWES T affirmativel y 1 1 aver s tha t th e landin g gea r wa s the n functionall yteste d and tha t 1 2 al l functiona l test s wer e satisfactor yan d tha t th e aircraf t wa s 1 3 returne d t o servic e i n a n airworthycondition . Excep t a s expressl y 1 4 admitt'Sd above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , 1 5 allegation s containe d therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , 1 6 bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 1 7 11 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 11 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 8 admit s tha t o n Februar y25 , 200 9 an d o n arriva l a t Portland , 1 9 Oregon , (some 4 day s an d approximatel y1 2 flights/cycle s followin g 2 0 th e accomplishmen t o f maintenanc e allege d i n Paragrap h1 0 o f th e 2 1 Complaint) , th e pilo t o f N579S Wreporte d tha t upo n departur e o n 2 2 tha t leg , th e gea r woul d no t retrac t an d tha t th e cre wcycle d th e 2 3 gea r 3 times . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s 2 4 eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein .

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1 an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d specifically , 2 coiijunctivel yan d disjunctively , an d specificall ydenie s tha t th e 3 cre whel d th e landin g gea r retractio n handl e i n th e up positio n fo r 4 ove r on e minute . 5 12 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 12 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 6 admit s tha t o n Februar y25 , 2009 , and i n respons e t o th e pilot' s 7 repor t allege d i n Paragrap h1 1 o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T performe d 8 maintenanc e o n N5759S Wan d execute d a n airworthines s release . 9 Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , 1 0 al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein , an d eac han d ever y 1 1 par t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yan d 1 2 disjunctively . 1 3 13 , Answerin g Paragrap hII . 13 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 4 admit s tha t o n Februar y25 , 2009 , SKYWES T maintenanc e personne l 1 5 remove d and replace d th e righ t mai n landin g gea r up-loc k actuator . 1 6 SKYWES T affirmativel yaver s tha t followin g thi s work , maintenanc e 1 7 personne l functionall yteste d th e gea r an d execute d a n 1 8 airwor-ihines s release . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T 1 9 denie s eac han d every , al l and singular , allegation s containe d 2 0 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 2 1 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , 2 2 14 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 14 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 3 admit s tha t o n Februar y25 , 2009 , whe n a companymechani c affixe d 2 4 hi s o r he r initial s an d employe e numbe r o n N5 7 95W' 5 maintenanc e

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1 log , suc hemploye e certifie d tha t n o known conditio n existe d tha t 2 mad e th e aircraf t unairworthyand tha t th e procedure s se t fort hi n 3 SKYWEST' s manual s ha d bee n followed . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d 4 above , SKYWES T denie s eac hand every , al l an d singular , allegation s 5 containe d therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall y 6 an d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 7 15 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . IS . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 8 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 9 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 1 0 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . SKYWES T 1 1 affirmativel yaver s th e Embrae r Maintenanc e Manual , includin g bu t 1 2 no t limite d t o Sectio n 32-32-09 , speak s fo r itself . 1 3 16 . Answerin g Paragrap hIi , 16 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 4 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 5 therein , and eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 6 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . SKYWES T 1 7 affirmativel yaver s th e Embrae r Maintenanc e Manual , includin g bu t 1 8 no t limite d t o Sectio n 32-32-09 , speak s fo r itself . 1 9 17 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 17 , o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 0 denie s tha t a hydrauli c han d pum p wa s no t available . SKYWES T 2 1 admit s tha t a hydrauli c han d pump wa s no t use d i n performin g th e 2 2 subjec t maintenanc e o n Februar y25 , 2009 . Excep t a s expressl y 2 3 admitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d ©very , al l and singular , 2 4 allegation s containe d therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , 8

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1 bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 2 SKYWES T affirmativel yaver s tha t i n lie u o f th e hydrauli c han d 3 pump , SKYWES T availe d itsel f o f othe r procedures , includin g it s 4 Standar d Practice s an d GMMconsisten t wit hth e EMB-12 0 Maintenanc e 5 Manua l an d SKYWEST' s GMM . 6 18 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 18 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 7 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 8 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 9 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . 1 0 19 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 19 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 1 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 2 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 3 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . 1 4 20 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 20 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 5 admit s tha t on e o f it s Portlan d Maintenanc e Supervisor s contacte d 1 6 SKYWEST' s EMB-12 0 Flee t Coordinator . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d 1 7 above , SKYWES T denie s eac hand every , al l an d singular , allegation s 1 6 containe d therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall y 1 9 an d Kpecificaily , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 2 D 21 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 21 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 1 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 2 2 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 2 3 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively , 2 4 22 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 22 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T

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1 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 2 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 3 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 4 23 . Answerin g Paragrap hII
- 23 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 5 admit s tha t o n Februar y2 6 , 2009 , i t dispatche d an d operate d N5 7 9S W 6 o n eigh t flights , th e las t on e o f whic hterminate d a t Spokane , 7 Washington . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s S eac hsm d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein , 9 an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d specifically , 1 0 conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , 1 1 24 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 24 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 2 admit s tha t o n Februar y27 , 2009 , i t dispatche d an d operate d N579S W 1 3 fro mSpokane , Washington . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , 1 4 SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s 1 5 containe d therein , an d eac han d over ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall y 1 6 an d specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , 1 7 25 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 25 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 8 admit s tha t o n Februar y27 , 2009 , durin g th e departur e o f N579SW , 1 9 th e righ t mai n landin g gea r di d no t retrac t afte r th e cre wcycle d 2 0 th e gea r thre e time s an d tha t th e aircraf t returne d t o Spokan e wit h 2 1 th e gea r extended . Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T 2 2 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 2 3 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 2 4 spscifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 1 0

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1 26 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 26 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 admit s tha t o n Februar y27 , 2009 , i t ferrie d N5 7 9S Wfro mSpokane , 3 Washingto n t o Portland , Oregon , Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d 4 above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s 5 containe d therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall y 6 and specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively . 7 27 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 273 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T B admit s tha t subsequen t t o N579SW' s arriva l a t it s Portlan d 9 Maintenanc e facility , SKYWES T maintenanc e personne l remove d and 1 0 replace d th e righ t mai n landin g gea r dra g an d lockin g strut . 1 1 Excep t a s expressl yadmitte d above , SKYWES T denie s eac han d every , 1 2 al l an d singular , allegation s containe d therein , and eac han d ever y 1 3 par t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d specifically , conjunctivel yan d 1 4 disjunctively , 1 5 28 . Answerin g Paragrap hII . 28 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 6 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 7 therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 1 8 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively . SKYWES T 1 9 affirmativel yaver s tha t prio r t o th e ferr yflight , SKYWES T ha d 2 0 determine d tha t th e upioc k hoo k ha d seize d an d ha d mad e a n entr y 2 1 int o th e aircraf t maintenanc e log . 2 2 III . 2 3 1 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 1 . a . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 4 denie s eac han d every , al l and singular , allegation s containe d 1 1



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1 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 2 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively , an d specificall y 3 denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 119.5(g ) o f th e Federa l Aviatio n 4 Regulations , o r an yothe r pertinen t law , rule , regulatio n o r order , 5 an d furthe r denie s tha t i t operate d i n violatio n o f a n appropriat e 6 operation s specification . 7 2 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 1 . b , o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 8 denie s eac han d every , al l and singular , allegation s containe d 9 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 0 specifically , conjunctivel yand disjunctively , and specificall y 1 1 denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 119,5(1 ) o f th e Federa l Aviatio n 1 2 Regulations , o r anyothe r pertinen t law , rule , regulatio n o r order , 1 3 «n d furthe r denie s tha t i t operate d aircraf t i n violatio n o f it s 1 4 operation s specifications . 1 5 3 , Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 1 . c o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 6 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 7 therein , and eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yan d 1 8 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , an d specificall y l £ > denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 121.153(a)(2 ) o f th e Federa l 2 0 Aviatio n Regulations , o r an yothe r pertinen t law , rule ^ regulatio n 2 1 o r order , and furthe r denie s tha t i t operate d a n aircraf t whe n i t 2 2 wa s no t i n a n airworthycondition . 2 3 •=: . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 1 . d . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 2 4 denie s eac hand every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 2

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1 therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 2 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , and specificall y 3 denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 121.60 5 o f th e Federa l Aviatio n 4 Regulations , o r anyothe r pertinen t law , rule , regulatio n o r order , ban d furthe r denie s tha t i t dispatche d an aircraf t unde r FA R 12 1 6 whe n i t wa s no t airworthy . 7 5 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . i.e . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 8 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 9 therein , an d eac han d ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 1 0 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , an d specificall y 1 1 denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 121.70 9 (b ) (2 ) (i ) o f th e Federa l 1 2 Aviatio n Regulations , o r an yothe r pertinen t law , rule , regulatio n 1 3 o r order , an d furthe r denie s tha t i t operate d an aircraf t afte r 1 4 maintenance , preventiv e maintenanc e o r alteration s wer e performe d 1 5 bu t ha d no t execute d th e require d certificatio n tha t th e wor k wa s 1 6 performe d pe r th e requirement s o f it s manual . 1 7 6 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 1 , f . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 1 8 denie s eac han d every , al l an d singular , allegation s containe d 1 9 therein , an d eac hand ever ypar t thereof , bot hgenerall yand 2 0 specifically , conjunctivel yan d disjunctively , an d specificall y 2 1 denie s tha t i t violate d Sectio n 121.709(b ) (2 ) (iv ) o f th e Federa l 2 2 Aviatio n Regulations , o r anyothe r pertinen t law , rule , regulatio n 2 3 o r order , an d furthe r denie s tha t i t operate d a n aircraf t afte r 2 4 maintenanc e wa s performe d whe n th e airworthines s releas e o r lo g 1 3

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1 entr ydi d no t includ e a certificatio n tha t n o know n conditio n 2 exist s tha t woul d mak e th e airplan e unairworthy . 3 7 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 2 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 4 aver s tha t 4 9 U.S.C . Sectio n 46301(a ) an d (d ) spea k fo r themselves , 5 bu t denie s tha t i t i s subjec t t o a civi l penalt yi n an yamount . S 3 . Answerin g Paragrap hIII . 3 . o f th e Complaint , SKYWES T 7 denie s tha t (i ) th e fact s an d circumstance s o f thi s cas e warran t a 8 $182,500.0 0 civi l penalty , (ii ) a $182,500.0 0 civi l penalt yi s 9 warrante d o r appropriate , o r (iii ) a civi l penalt yi n an yamoun t i s 1 0 warrante d o r appropriate . 1 1 FIRS T AFFIRMATIV E DEFENS E 1 2 A s an d fo r a separat e an d distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : 1 3 I , 1 4 Certai n o f th e act s complaine d o f wer e i n par t thos e o f 1 5 partie s independen t o f SKYWEST . 1 6 II . 1 7 Th e righ t mai n landin g gea r o n N579S Wha d recentl ybee n 1 8 overhc-ule d b ya n FAA-certificate d repai r statio n an d on e o f 1 9 SKYWEST' s qualifie d vendors . 2 0 III . 2 1 SKYWEST' s EMB-12 0 fleet , an d N579S Wi n particular , ha d neve r 2 2 experience d landin g gea r problem s o f th e type , natur e an d frequenc y 2 3 alleged , unti l afte r th e installatio n o f th e newl yoverhaule d righ t 2 4 mai n landin g gear 1 4

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1 IV . 2 Subsequen t investigatio n ha s reveale d tha t th e mai n landin g 3 gea r proble m

allege d wa s cause d byan irregula r interna l bushin g 4 surfac e whic hha d no t bee n detecte d durin g overhau l an d whic hcoul d 5 no t hav e bee n detecte d bySKYWES T durin g it s acceptanc e o f th e 6 landin g gear , installatio n o f th e landin g gea r o r operatio n o f th e 7 aircraft . Thi s condition , i n an d o f itself , wa s no t sufficien t t o 8 caus e th e gea r retractio n problems . However , whe n combine d wit h 9 th e col d and we t condition s i n whic hth e aircraf t wa s operate d o n 1 0 th e pertinen t date s an d flights , th e mai n landin g gea r experience d 1 1 retractio n problems , whic hcoul d no t b e replicate d i n a heate d 1 2 hangar . 1 3 V . 1 4 A s a resul t o f thi s investigation , an d t o preven t recurrence , 1 5 SKYWES T and it s approve d vendo r hav e develope d additiona l repai r 1 6 an d overhau l processes . 1 7 SECOND AFFIRMATIV E DEFENS E 1 8 A s an d fo r a separat e an d distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : 1 9 I . 2 0 SKYWES T and It s maintenanc e personne l wer e activel y 2 1 troubleshootin g th e mai n landin g gea r problem . 2 2 II . 2 3 Afte r eac hreporte d discrepanc yinvolvin g th e righ t mai n 2 4 landin g gear , SKYXTCST maintenanc e personne l performe d appropriat e 1 5

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1 troubleshootin g an d correctiv e actions , includin g adjustment s an d 2 replacement s o f part s an d components . SKYWES T personne l als o 3 functionall yteste d th e mai n landin g gea r befor e approvin g th e 4 aircraf t fo r retur n t o service . I n n o instance , wer e SKYWEST' s 5 maintenanc e personne l abl e t o replicat e th e discrepanc yreporte d b y 6 th e fligh t crews . 7 III . 8 Th e nature , typ e o r frequenc yo f thi s discrepanc yha d neve r 9 befor e bee n encountere d b ySKYWEST , despit e ove r 2 2 year s o f 1 0 operatin g experienc e wit hth e EMB-120 . 1 1 • IV . 1 2 Th e nature , typ e o r frequenc yo f thi s discrepanc ywa s no t 1 3 addresse d i n th e Aircraf t Maintenanc e Manual , th e Componen t 1 4 Maintenanc e Manua l o r anyothe r manufacturer' s publicatio n o r 1 5 instructio n fo r continue d airworthiness . 1 6 THIR D AFFIRt<lATlV EDEFENS E 1 7 A s an d fo r a separat e an d distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : 1 8 I . 1 9 A t al l time s mentione d herein , SKYWES T wa s i n ful l complianc e 2 0 wit hit s CAM E an d it s Operation s Specifications . 2 1 II . 2 2 Include d i n SKYWEST' s CAM P ar e it s Standar d Practices . 2 3 III . 2 4 SKYWEST' s Standar d Practices , amon g othe r things , establis h

I S

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### 1 criteri afo r

alternative s t o th etools , fixture s an dsuppor t 2 equipmen t

specifie di nth emanufacturer' s manuals
. 3 IV . 4 Unde r sai d Standar d Practices , th e us e o f a hydrauli c hand 5 pum

p i s no t require d t o verif yth e correc t installatio n and 6 operatio n o f th e upioc k hoo k an d actuato r assembly . 7 V . 8 Unde r M M32-32-0 9 (upon whic hComplainan t relies) , a hand pum p 9 i s no t use d t o verif yo r measur e clearance s o f th e upioc k hoo k and 1 0 rolle r mechanism . 1 1 VI . 1 2 M M32-32-0 9 i s no t and wa s no t intende d t o serv e a s th e 1 3 exclusiv e guidanc e i n functionall ycheckin g th e landin g gea r fo r 1 4 operation . Th e EMB-12 0 Aircraf t Maintenanc e Manua l ("AMM") , an d th e 1 5 EMB-l2 o manufacturer , authoriz e landin g gea r functiona l test s 1 6 utilizin g th e aircraft' s electrica l system . I n addition , MM32-32

- 1 7 09 , o n it s fac e i s incomplet e a s i t fail s t o specif yth e make , 1 8 mode l o r capacit yo f th e han d pump , ho wth e han d pum p i s t o b e 1 9 connecte d t o th e aircraf t o r ho wth e han d pum p i s t o b e 2 0 disconnecte d fro mth e aircraft . 2 1 VII . 2 2 Sf^YWEST , i n accordanc e wit hit s Standar d Practice s and th e 2 3 AMM , utilize d th e aircraft' s electrica l syste mt o functionall ytes t 2 4 th e operatio n o f •N579SW' s mai n landin g gear . 1 7

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1 FOURT Hj^FFIRMATIV EDEFENS E 2 A s an d fo r a separat e distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : 3 I
4 I n performin g al l wor k alleged , SKYWEST , byand throug hit s 5 maintenanc e perso.nnel , execute d al l require d certification s tha t 6 th e wor k wa s performe d pe r th e requirement s o f SKYWEST' s pertinen t 7 manual s an d tha t n o know n conditio n existe d tha t woul d mak e th e 8 airplan e unairworthy . 9 FIFT H AFFIRMATIV E DEFENS E 1 0 A s and fo r a separat e distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : 1 1 I . 1 2 Thi s matte r cam e t o Complainant' s attentio n throug hth e a 1 3 repor t mad e t o th e FA Abya SKYWES T Maintenanc e Superviso r unde r 1 4 th e Aviatio n Safet yActio n Pla n (ASAP ) i n effec t betwee n th e FAA , 1 5 SKYWES T an d th e SkyWes t Airline s Maintenanc e Associatio n ("SAMA") . 1 6 II . 1 7 Unde r FA AAdvisor yCircula r A C 120-66B , th e state d purpos e o f 1 8 a n ASA P i s t o encourag e ai r carrie r employee s t o voluntaril yrepor t 1 9 safet yinformatio n an d t o resolv e safet yissue s throug hcorrectiv e 2 0 actio n rathe r tha n throug hpunishmen t o r discipline . I n it s AC , th e 2 1 FA

Aha s acknowledge d tha t withou t ASAP , muc ho f thi s informatio n 2 2 woul d no t otherwis e b e obtainabl e an d i s necessar yt o develo p 2 3 correctiv e action s fo r safet yconcern s and preven t recurrence . Th e 2 4 A

C states : 1 8

820/030 ®

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_

^^ ^2M98Gt30 S XV d28:0 LOLOS/SO/S O04/19/201 011:5 0415421256 0DWORKI NAN D ASSO C PAG E21/2 3

1 Th eASA Pi s base do nasafet y partnershi p tha t 2 wil linclude s th eFA Aan dth ecertificat e 3 holder , an dmay includ eathir dparty , suc ha s 4 th eemployee' s labo r organisation
. 5 III . 6 Afundamenta l componen t o f th e ASA P i s th e Even t Revie w 7 Committe e C'ERC") , comprise d o f a representativ e fro meac hparty , S i n thi s case , th e FAA , SKYWES T an d SAMA . Th e ER C review s an d 9 analyse s report s submitte d unde r th e ASAP , identifie s actua l c r 1 0 potentia l problem s an d propose s solution s fo r an yperceive d 1 1 problcrriB . Th e ER C i s require d t o gover n b yconsensu s whe n decidin g 1 2 o n correctiv e action s an d i n makin g recommendations . 1 3 IV . 1 4 Initiatio n an d prosecutio n o f a n enforcemen t actio n base d upo n 1 5 a n hSA Freport , defeat s th e FAA' s state d purpos e underlyin g a n ASA P 1 6 progra man d undermine s th e integrit yo f al l FAA-industr ydat a 1 7 sharin g programs . 1 8 IV . 1 9 Initiatio n an d prosecutio n o f a n enforcemen t actio n base d upo n 2 0 a n ASA P an d enforcemen t investigativ e report s prepare d b yth e FAA' s 2 1 ASA P ER C representative , defeat s th e FAA' s state d purpos e 2 2 underlyin g a n ASA P progra man d undermine s th e integrit yo f al l FAA
2 3 industr ydat a sharin g programs . 2 4 SIXT H AFFIRMATIV E DEFENS E

1 9

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4

I S 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 A s an d fo r a separat e distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : I . Th e sanctio n sough t byComplainan t i s unwarrante d b yth e facts , safet yi n commerc e an d the publi c interes t and i s excessive . SEVENT H AFFIRMATIV E DEFENS E A s an d fo r a separat e distinc t defense , SKYWES T alleges : I . Th e Complainant' s case , i s unwarrante d an d withou t basi s o r jurisdictio n i n la wo r fact . WHEREFORE , i t i s praye d tha t th e Administrativ e La wJudg e no t ente r a n orde r tha t SKYWES T b e assesse d a civi l penalt yi n th e amoun t o f $182,500 , o r i n anyamount ; tha t th e Complain t b e dismisse d wit hprejudice , an d fo r suc hothe r and furthe r relie f a s ma yb e deeme d appropriate .

Dated : Apri l 19 , 201 0
MICHAE L L . DWORKI N Attorne yfo r SKYWES T AIRLINES , INC ,

2 0

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CERTUICAT EO FSERVIC E (49C.F.R
. §821.8 ; 1 4 C.F. R§13.211 ) Ihereb y certif

y that Ihav ethi s da

y serve dth efollowin g dociimeni : Answe r t o Complsdn t (SkyWes i Airlines , FAACas eNo
. 2009NM060048 ) vi aFA Xan dFEDEXstandardovernight delivery , to th epersons an dat th eaddresse s indicate d below : Hearin g Docke t

Clerk , AGC-43 0 FederalAviatio nAdministratio n Wilbu r Wright Building , Suite2W100 0 80 0Independenc eAvenue , S.W, Washington
. D.C
. 2059 1 FAX : 1-202-493-514 2 (Execute dOriginalplu s onecop y vi aFEDEX ; onecop y vi aFAX ) Scott R
. Monis , Esq
. FederalAviatio nAdministratio n Officeo f th eRegionalCounsel , ANM- 7 160 1 Lin dAvenue , S.W
. Remon , WA9805 7 7 AX : 1-227-1007 (On ecop y eac hvi aFAXandFEDEX ) Execute dthi s 19 * da

y o f April , 201 0at

Sa nFrancisco , California
. Joleog-€!^Srown Secretar y

820/820 ® S W Q -i - VV d 2t?L986t'20 2 XV d 28:0 L0L02/90/9 0