US seeks $162M in fines against AMR, American Air

DALLAS (AP) — Federal safety regulators are seeking up to $162.4 million in fines against American Airlines and its affiliates for alleged violations of U.S. safety standards going back several years. Those sanctions that would dwarf any previous penalties against an airline.

Many of the investigations had not been disclosed until the Federal Aviation Administration filed documents describing them to the federal court handling the bankruptcy case of American and parent AMR Corp.

The documents underscore the scope of the FAA's concern about the maintenance program at American, the nation's third-largest airline. They come to light just as American tries to fix labor and financial problems and turn itself around.

American said today that it has been working with federal officials for several years to improve training and oversight in its maintenance operations.

"Safety is fundamental to the success of American Airlines, and at no time did American operate an aircraft that was unsafe for flight," said AMR spokesman Michael Trevino.

AMR will try to reduce any penalties through negotiations, Trevino said. That's a standard approach when the FAA proposes fines against an airline for alleged violations of federal safety rules.