Fla. cargo carrier hit for safety violations

Fla. cargo carrier hit for safety violations    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it plans to fine Capital Cargo International Airlines $298,500 for operating eight Boeing 727 aircraft that were inspected by an unqualified mechanic who signed off on their airworthiness, in violation of federal aviation regulations.
   The agency said the mechanic had not completed a required course to familiarize himself with the 727, and did not have prior training or experience with the aircraft. FAA also said the mechanic had not taken the required examination, and the company had not evaluated his prior experience and training to perform required inspections on B-727s.
   The Orlando, Fla.-based carrier operated 509 flights from 2008 to 2009 that were certified as airworthy by the mechanic before a properly trained mechanic conducted inspections.
   Capital Cargo, founded in 1995, operates 13 727-200s and two Boeing 757-200s. Many major airlines and air cargo carriers have phased out the 727s from their fleets because the plane, which is no longer manufactured, burns more fuel than newer planes, is expensive to maintain, and requires a three-person crew instead of two persons to fly it.
   Capital Cargo is a subsidiary of Air Cargo Services Group, which also owns domestic freight carrier ABX Air; passenger and cargo charter carrier Air Transport International LLC; Airborne Global Solutions, an outsourced leasing and aircraft services company; Cargo Aircraft Management, an aircraft leasing and support company; and two other aviation-related firms. ACSG is listed on the NASDAQ exchange.
   The cargo carrier has 30 days to respond to the FAA’s enforcement letter.