07/29/201 1 09.1 6 FAX 2024935142 FAA ^ QMS glOOl/OCiT 

JEFV^RTMENTOF 

Te^as '^ " ^'"- ' • •^^ '- ^ '(817)222-5099 

f8l7) 222-5945/5092 FAX 

O "MiAI'^SPORTATiGN 

U.S. Deportment Southwest Region ••'-''' - ^-• '- — oftice of Regional Counsel 

of Tramportation Arkansas, Louisiana, 2601 Ueacharn Bkd, Room 663 

Federal Aviation NewMe«..:o, OMahoma,!! ;, j -^ Q A ,:",: ': 0 FOU Worth,TX 76137 

Administrohon ^'^ ^ 

July 22, 2011 

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

Hearing Docket 

Federal Aviation AiJministration . : l:^../"''^ 

800 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington, DC 20591 

ATTN: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 iui . ^ . . 

Wilbur Wright Building. Suite 2W1000 *^^ 2 C iUU 

^CEIVED 

In the Matter of C 

Docket No. CP To Be Assig 

Case No. 2010SW270039 

ontinental AirlinfeifllibP/|\|Q nor^l^'CT " 

o Be Assigned ^WUr\t ; I 

Dear Sir or Madam; 

Enclosed are the original and one copy of the complaint in the above-referenced proceeding. 

The Complainant requests that the hearing in this matter be held in the Houston. Texas area, 

and expects that the hearing will last one (1) day. 

Please serve me with all documents in this matter. 

Tim Duff. ASW-7E2 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Southwest Region 

2601 Meacham Blvd., Room 663 

Fort Worth, TX 76137 

Sincerely, 

DAVID L DONNELL 

Regional Counsel 

Southwest Region 

By: 

Tim Duff 

Attorney 

Safety Enforcement Branch 

TEL: {817)222-5099 

FAX. (817)222-5945 

E-Mail: Tim.Duff(Q)faa.QOv 

Enclosure 
07/29/2011 09:1G FAX 2024935142 FAA - DMS 0002/007 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 

In the Matter of: 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC. 

FAA Case No. 2010SW270039 

FAA Docket CP To Be Assigned 

Judge Not Assigned 

COMPLAINT 

The Complainant files its complaint, under Rule 208 of the Rules of Practice in 

FAA Civil Penalty Actions. 14 CFR §13.208, and states the following: 

Respondent Continental Airlines, Inc.. (CAL) was advised through a Notice of 

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

of $275,000.00. On July 18, 2011. Respondent submitted a written request for a 

hearing. 

1. Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL) holds Air Carrier Operating Certificate 

CALA014A authorizing it to engage in scheduled air transportation under Part 121 of 

the Federal Aviation Regulations. 

2. The CAL B737-789 Fleet Illustrated Parts Catalogue indicates that wheel 

and tire assemblies identified as 737-9ERMLG are to be installed on CAL's Boeing 

737-extended range aircraft. 

3. The CAL Boeing 737-789 Airplane Maintenance Manual applicable at all 

times pertinent herein to the aircraft described below contains the following warning: 

Do not install 737-700/800/900 main wheel tire assemblies on 737-

900ER aircraft. 737-700/800/900 main wheels are not certified for 

737-900ER aircraft. Installing a 737-700/800/900 main wheel on a 

737-900ER can cause damage to the aircraft and injury to the 

personnel. 

4. On or about November 7, 2009, CAL mechanics removed and replaced the 

number four main tire on Civil Aircraft N78438. a Boeing 737-924ER {extended range 

aircraft) owned and operated by CAL. 
07/29/201 1 091 6 FAX 202493514 2 FAA - DMS 0003/007 

5. The CAL mechanics installed a 737-700/800/900 main wheel-tire assembly 

on Civil Aircraft N78438. 

6. Subsequently, CAL operated Civil Aircraft N78438 on at least 46 flights with 

the incorrect wheel-tire assembly on the aircraft. 

7. On or about November 19, 2009, CAL mechanics removed and replaced 

the number two main tire on Civil Aircraft N75433, a Boeing 737-924ER owned and 

operated by CAL. 

8. The CAL mechanics installed a 737-700/800/900 main wheel-tire assembly 

on Civil Aircraft N75433. 

9. Subsequently, CAL operated Civil Aircraft N75433 on at least 27 flights with 

the incorrect wheel-tire assembly installed on the aircraft. 

10. Civil Aircraft N78438 and Civil Aircraft N75433 were not in an airworthy 

condition at the times of the flights described above. 

11. By reason of the foregoing facts and circumstances. Respondent CAL 

violated the following sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations: 

a. Section 43.13{a) in that it perfonmed maintenance on an aircraft without 

using the methods, techniques and practices prescribed in the manufacturer's 

maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness; 

b. Section 43.13(b) in that while performing maintenance it did not do the 

work in such a manner and use materials of such a quality the condition of the aircraft 

was at least equal to its original or properly altered condition; 

c. Section 121.369(b) in that while performing, maintenance, preventive 

maintenance or alterations it failed to follow the maintenance program set out in its 

manual, and 

d. Section 121.153{a)(2) in that it operated an aircraft when it was not in 

an airworthy condition. 

III. 

1. Under 49 U.S C. §46301, Respondent CAL is subject to a civil penalty for 

each violation of each regulation cited The maximum penalty per violation is 

525,000.00. 

2. Under the facts and circumstances of this case, a civil penalty of 

$275,000.00 is appropriate. 
07/29/201 1 09:1 6 FAX 2024935142 FAA - DMS 01004/007 

Complainant respectfully requests that the administrative law judge enter an 

order that Respondent CAL be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $275,000.00. 

,nd Submitted this 22"" day of July. 2011. 

DAVID L. DONNEL 

Regional Counsel 

Southwest Region 

By: 

^ Tim Duff 

Attorney 

Safety Enforcement Branch 

TEL: (817)222-5099 

FAX: (817) 222-5945 or 5092 

E-Mail: Tim.Duff(d>_faa.cjov 
07/29/201 1 09.1 6 FAX 202a935l4 2 FAA - DMS 0005/00 7 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

I certify that the foregoing Administrator's Complaint has been mailed this date 

by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, to: 

Federal Aviation Administration 

800 Independence Avenue, SW 

Washington. DC 20591 

ATTN: Heanng Docket Cterk. AGC-430 

Wilbur Wright Building, Suite 2W1000 

Thomas Newton Boiling 

Vice President and Associate General Counsel 

United Air Lines. Inc. and Continental Airiines, Inc. 

77 W. Wacker Drive - 16'^ Floor 

Chicago. IL 60601 

TEL: 312-997-8068 

FAX: 312-997-8068 

E-Mail: Thomas, boliinciia). united, com 

Sylvi^yC Twa, Paralegal Specialist 

Federal Aviation Adminrstration 

Southwest Region 

Date: July 22. 2011 
07/29/2011 09 IG FAX 2024935142 FAA - QMS 0006/00 7 

UN 

rhiimii> Ni-wion Bollinc 

Vic* President iL .Vssoiijili; Ct.-i>*r,il C.'nun^ci 

311*>97 80(;8 , 

ihiimii'.b'iMint;'"'!"" i «•" -X fUH 

liiiiicd Air l.i^c^. Inc. 

Oontiiicnul AirlincM. Inc. 

77 W. \kiicUcr nri%f. IC,'* Kl. 

I.ccul r>cparimcnT|[0(JI » 

(.hiciico. IL 60601 

Julv 18.2011 

VTA FEDERAL EXPRESS 

Federal Aviarion .Administratiori 

800 independence Avenue, SW 

Wiishington, DC 20591 

Attention: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 

Wilbur Wrigiil Building, Suite 2W1000 

RECEIVED 

JUL 2 0 2011 

BEARING DOCKET 

Re: Conlincnlai Airline?;, Inc. Request for Hearing 

Final Notice of Pruroscd Civil Penalty - F.\y\ Case No. 2010SW270039 

Dear Sir or iMadanr 

By letter dated June 29. 2011, the Federal Aviation Administration (FA.A) issued a Final 

Notice of Proposed Civil PenaJiy in the ahove-referenced case. Pursuant to 4^' U.S.C. § 46301. 

as amended, and the FAA Rules of Prdeiiec in FAA Civil Penalty Actions aj; set forth in 14 

C.r.R. § 13.16, Continental Airlines. Inc. (Continental) hereby requests a hearing in the abovereferenced case. In addition, Continental also requests all future eonununications on this case be 

directed to my attention at the address provided below. 

Thomas Newton Boiling 

Vice President and Associate General Counsel 

United Air Lines, Inc. and Continental Airlines, Inc. 

77 W. Wacker Drive - 16^^ floor 

Chicago, 11.60601 

Tel: 312 997 8068 Fax: 312 997 8068 

Email; thoin:LS.l-)(>lline'»Hiniiod.com 
ur/^y/201 1 09 . l e FAX 202493514 2 FAA . Oh'.S ©007/007 

UNITE D 

Federal Aviation Administration 

July iR. 2011 "-, ^1-*-/--N r " n /r^r > 

JUL ? 0 2011 

Thank vou. Plea.'^e let me know if vou need additional inlbrmation. . , 

>lEARiNG DOCKET 

v'jincerelvcc: Tim Duff, Esq. 

Attorney, Safety Enforcement Branch 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Office of Regional Counsel 

2601 Meacliajn Boulevard 

Fort Worth, TX 76137 

(VIA KFDF.RAL EXPRESS") 

Thomas Nev-lon Boiling 

Vice President and Associate General Counsel