Number	21218
Subject	Aviation
Source	CBS News
State	New York
Year	2003
Publication Date	June 16
Summary	The report investigated shoddy maintenance on a major U.S. air carrier as a result of cost cutting. CBS News was able to find internal documents and talk to whistle blower mechanics proving that United Airlines failed to do the required maintenance of its fleet and failed to use licensed mechanics as required by the FAA. Examples in this report include: secretaries signing work papers that needed certified mechanic's signatures; failed equipment shined up and reinstalled in planes without being repaired; and letters pressuring mechanics to ignore safety problems.
Category	Contest Entry
Pages	8
Keywords	TAPE;cost cutting;airline;United Airlines;FAA;NTSB;mechanic;Transportation Department;whistle blower;airline safety;airplane;plane;airline maintenance;circuit breakers;secretary;safety problems;inspection;repair station;outsourcing
Related Links
Related Video	VHS tape runs 5:23
Contest Questionnaires	Only members can download contest entry questionnaires! Log in to get access.
Ordering info	Want to place an order? Email us or call us at 573-882-3364 (Stories are only available to members of IRE. For membership information, please refer to our membership page)