FAA proposes fine against AirTran

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $250,000 fine against AirTran Airways for operating a Boeing 737 after it was struck by lightning, without repairing it first.

According to the FAA, an AirTran flight was struck by lightning on March 20, 2009. After the incident, AirTran did not properly repair or test a sensor on the aircraft which warns if there is a potential loss of lift. The FAA said AirTran deferred the repair and continued to operate the jet, even though the repair or maintenance of the damaged sensor shouldn't have been deferred.

The airline reinstalled a damaged sensor and operated the jet that day on passenger flights from Orlando to Atlanta, Atlanta to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to Atlanta and Atlanta to Baltimore.

AirTran spokesman Christopher White said in an e-mail that its customers' and employees' safety is "always our top priority. At no time was safety compromised during these flights. We are working with the FAA to resolve this matter."

AirTran has 30 days to respond to the FAA.

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