The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to levy a total of USD1.231 million in civil penalties against SkyWest Airlines (United States of America) (OO, Salt Lake City) for various violations of US Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).

In the first instance, the FAA is proposing a USD320,000 civil penalty against the Utah-based carrier for allegedly failing to inspect certain main landing gear components on four Canadair regional jets, at required intervals, for wear that could lead to an unsafe condition or failure of a component.

"SkyWest allegedly operated the aircraft on more than 6,700 flights when the inspections were overdue," the watchdog said.

In the second instance, the FAA is proposing a USD911,000 civil penalty against SkyWest for failing to inspect the cargo door skins on two Canadair regional jets at required intervals.

"The inspections were required by an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued in 2006 after cracks were discovered in the aluminium cargo door skin of a CL-600 during fatigue testing," it said. "The FAA determined that regular inspections of that type of aircraft for similar cracking could help prevent a situation in which a cracked skin could lead to an accident or unsafe condition."

The FAA added that SkyWest allegedly operated the aircraft in question on a total of 15,969 flights while they were in a state of non-compliance.

SkyWest has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letters to respond to the agency.