01 May 2014

NTSB seeks urgent review of Alaska commuter air operator after crashes

The Associated Press reports:

— Two fatal crashes of Alaska commuter aircraft and five other accidents or incidents have led the National Transportation Safety Board to recommend a comprehensive safety audit of the company that provides most commuter air service within the state.

The NTSB announced Thursday an "urgent safety recommendation" that the Federal Aviation Administration review of the businesses operating under HoTH Inc. to check for regulatory compliance and operational safety.

HoTH is the parent company of Hageland Aviation, Frontier Flying Service and Era Aviation doing business as Ravn Alaska, Ravn Connect and Corvus Airlines.

[snip]
The NTSB also said the FAA in Alaska itself should be reviewed. A second, non-urgent recommendation called for an audit of the agency's oversight, including its workload, inspector qualifications, turnover, and working relationships with operators owned by HoTH.

Agency spokesman Allen Kenitzer said by email that the FAA began increased surveillance of Hageland Aviation in 2011.

Read the whole story here.

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