US FAA proposes $2.5 mln fine against American Eagle

WASHINGTON | Mon Feb 1, 2010 5:14pm EST

WASHINGTON Feb 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Monday proposed a $2.5 million fine against American Eagle Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp AMR.N, for allegedly calculating cargo weight improperly.

The FAA said American Eagle conducted at least 154 passenger flights in 2008 with the wrong baggage weight entered into an electronic system that computes aircraft loads and balance.

The carrier operated another 39 flights after the FAA told it about the problem, the FAA said.

Incorrect weight and balance information can lead to faulty calculations for flight control settings and other data necessary for safe takeoffs and landings, regulators said in a statement.

American Eagle has since corrected the problem and has 30 days to respond to the proposed fine, the FAA said.

Such penalties are often reduced on appeal. (Reporting by John Crawley. Editing by Robert MacMillan)

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