FAA proposes $689,800 fine for FedEx Express

FAA proposes $689,800 fine for FedEx Express    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a civil penalty of $689,800 against Federal Express Corp. of Memphis for allegedly violating Transportation Department hazardous materials regulations.
   The FAA alleges that in 89 instances from June 13 to Sept. 4, 2009, FedEx 'failed to provide pilots-in-command with complete, accurate information on the nature, quantity and weight of hazardous materials loaded on their aircraft.'
   The pilot in charge of the flight must be given this information under hazardous materials regulations. 'Pilots must know they are carrying dangerous goods so they can take all necessary safety precautions,' said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, in a July 8 statement.
   The FAA also alleged that FedEx accepted four shipments of hazardous materials for transportation by air when those materials were not accurately described and certified in the accompanying shipper's documents. The shipments were accepted from June 18 to Aug. 26, 2009.
   The alleged violations were found during an FAA dangerous goods inspection at the FedEx cargo-handling facility at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Conn., from Aug. 31 to Oct. 1, 2009.
   FedEx has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letters to respond to the agency.