American Airlines Scandal

American Airlines Scandal

When people think of American Airlines what comes to mind? Multi-billion dollar company, one of America's top air plane providers, someone we trust to insure that our family members can travel safely, or do we think scandals. Over the years American Airlines has been under investigation by the FAA due to the lack of maintenance on their jets.

American Airlines is the single largest provider of the MD-80 jets. In 2008, the FAA determined that 286 MD-80s flew 14,278 passengers while not meeting maintenance requirements. The operators at American were not complying with the airworthiness directive on where they were to check the wire bundles in the jets wheel wells. The FAA says that this could lead to fires and fuel tank explosions.

In 2009 American Airlines were in the FAA's spotlight again of the already under maintenance MD-80s. This time there were more issues than the wire bundles. The FAA found improper coated engines, incorrectly drilled holes, faulty emergency slides, and cracked bulkheads in 16 MD-80s. The cracked bulkheads could actually cause the planes cabin to depressurize. There are also rumors that American retired one plane to avoid the eyes of the FAA inspectors.

Looking at the company's ethics after reviewing these scandals bring wariness to light. It seems that American Airlines was only worried about making money and the minimum amount of funds necessary to run these jets and our family members from one place to another. They took the risk of peoples innocent lives into their hands when deciding to use lazy work tactics. Not only that, they showed dishonesty when trying to retire planes before the FAA could inspect them. Showing again its best interest are in funds then in neither their service nor the safety that they are required. Because of theses implications American Airlines has suffered one of the largest fines of 24.2 million in penalties, and in many cases has probably lost the respect and business of customers.

According to; Managing Business Ethics. Straight Talk About How To Do It Right. 4th Edition, Legal Responsibilities, "business are expected to carry out its work in accordance with the law and government regulations" and American Airlines did not do that. They felt that saving money was more important than the law and government regulations.