AVIATION/ FAA INCREASES SCRUTINY OF AA

The FAA has increased its oversight of AMERICAN AIRLINES in the wake of 3 mishaps during landings in December. 2 of the incidents involved the aircraft wingtips touching the ground during landings. The 3rd incident occurred in Jamaica when a Boeing 737 overshot the Kingston  runway during heavy rain. In a statement, the FAA said: "In situations where there may be several incidents involving a single carrier over a short period of time, FAA inspectors increase their oversight, which we’re doing now, and conduct a review of those events to determine whether they might be indicative of a larger issue". Depending on what inspectors report, the FAA will work with the AA on corrective action, if needed. An increase in oversight could also lead to additional enforcement actions. AA said that the Airline is cooperating with the FAA and conducting its own investigation. On December 13, a wingtip on Flight 1402 from Dallas/Fort Worth touched the runway as it landed in Charlotte, North Carolina, causing substantial damage to the MD82. No one onboard was injured. On December 22 the 737 was attempting to land during heavy rain when it skidded off the runway at Kingston. About 100 passengers and crew were injured, 4 of them seriously, in the incident. The aircraft, pictured above, sustained substantial damages and has been written off. Finally, on December 24, a wingtip of an MD80 struck the ground as the plane landed in Austin, Texas. No one onboard was injured and the aircraft sustained no damage.