AAR DENIES ANY WRONGDOING RELATED TO FAA HAZMAT FINE

AAR DENIES ANY WRONGDOING RELATED TO FAA HAZMAT FINE       AAR Corp., which faces a proposed $1 million fine from the Federal Aviation Administration for improperly shipping hazardous materials, denied any wrongdoing related to FAA allegations that the company illegally shipped oxygen generators aboard a passenger plane in January 1997.
      The FAA said AAR, by its freight forwarding agent Aerospace International, offered oxygen generators that were not properly described, marked, labeled and in proper condition for transport by air between Paris and Chicago. AAR shipped the banned materials without labeling them for 'cargo aircraft only' as required, the FAA said.
      Oxygen generators have been banned from passenger flights in the United States and overseas since late 1996. An improperly labeled and packed shipment of oxygen generating canisters is believed to have caused the crash of a Valujet plane that killed 110 people in May of that year. The $1 million fine would be one of the highest levied by the FAA for a hazmat violation.
      “We believe our contract for the purchase of the inventory in question clearly provided that the seller and its freight agent, not AAR, were responsible for packaging, labeling, and shipping the assemblies in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations,” said David P. Storch, AAR’s president and chief executive officer.
      “We also believe AAR has acted appropriately in the situation, and we will vigorously defend our position with respect to the FAA allegations,” Storch said.
      According to the FAA, AAR, formerly AAR Allen Group Inc., offered to Air France a consolidation of excess aircraft parts, including about 800 chemical oxygen generators, for transport by air. AAR used its freight forwarder, Aerospace International, to pack the shipment, the FAA said. Thirty-one freight boxes containing an undetermined number of oxygen generators were transported on a scheduled Air France passenger flight. The rest traveled on board an Air France freighter.
      “Safety is AAR’s top priority, and we have maintained an impeccable safety record throughout our 50 years in this business,” Storch said.