John D. Boyd | Jul 08, 2011 3:41PM EDT
The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $689,800 against FedEx for allegedly violating hazardous materials regulations while handling shipments in 2009.
The FAA said it found the alleged violations during a dangerous goods inspection at a FedEx Express cargo handling facility at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Conn., from Aug. 31 to Oct. 1, 2009.
In 89 instances from June 13 to Sept. 4, 2009, the FAA alleged, FedEx “failed to provide pilots-in-command with complete, accurate information on the nature, quantity and weight of hazardous materials loaded on their aircraft.”
FedEx also accepted four hazmat shipments for air transport when the materials “were not accurately described and certified in the accompanying shipper’s documents,” the FAA said. Those took place on June 18 and Aug. 26, 2009.
“Pilots must know they are carrying dangerous goods so they can take all necessary safety precautions,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “Shippers and airlines must follow the rules so they are able to move these materials safely.”
The agency said it was sending FedEx enforcement letters detailing the allegations, and the company had 30 days to respond.
-- Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @jboydjoc.
