The Federal Aviation Administration discovered potential
safety issues with L.A.B. Flying Service airplanes June 13, and has increased its
surveillance and analysis of the local carrier for the foreseeable future, agency
representatives said this week.
"The FAA identified airworthiness issues with L.A.B. aircraft and
shared those discrepancies with L.A.B. personnel," said FAA regional spokesman Allen
Kenitzer. "As a result, L.A.B. personnel grounded their own aircraft to correct
discrepancies."
Aircraft were apparently voluntarily grounded only part of the day
Friday, June 13, and the airline has been operating under increased FAA watchfulness
since.
Kenitzer said no end date has been set for the additional surveillance.
Among safety discrepancies discovered by the FAA were a missing wing
bolt on one aircraft, Kenitzer said, and another plane was missing a nut and cotter pin on
a bolt in an aileron, the small hinged "flap" near the end of the wing’s
trailing edge that helps control side-to-side roll.
Company managers Eric and Lynn Bennett declined comment.
