The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "mechanic training" ...
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"Safety for Sale"
The Federal Aviation Administration is under fire after WFAA-TV reveals that thousands of aircraft mechanics licensed by the FAA, had "questionable" training. The poor training and slow reaction by the FAA could be connected to two deadly airplane crashes. The series also revealed that repair facilities hired foreign mechanics through "immigration loopholes" who were unqualified and often could not speak English.
Tags: FAA; Federal Aviation Administration; diploma mills; U.S. aircraft mechanics; mechanic training; foreign mechanics;
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Fatal Flying on Airlines No Accident in Aviator Complaint to FAA
Florida aviation company, Gulfstream, is found to have lax pilot training standards as well as relaxed policies on aircraft fitness for flight. Death and accidents have occurred due to the neglect and Gulfstream's pilots are prevalent in the airline industry.
Tags: Gulfstream; Florida; airline; regional; pilots; training; mechanical; aircraft; aviation;
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Carnival Safety Investigation
Inside Edition sent a producer with hidden cameras to work at several traveling carnivals around the country where he uncovered major drug use by some of the carnival ride operators. In addition to capturing "ride jockeys" abusing (and dealing) drugs just minutes before they began operating major thrill rides popular with children and young adults, our producer also observed several serious safety issues inherent in the traveling carnival industry. Among these safety issues were questionable hiring practices, inadequate training policies and dangerous mechanical issues on multiple rides.
Tags: carnival safety; public safety; ride jockeys; drug use; sex offenders; ex-con; traveling carnivals;
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Northwest Prepares for Strike
The report documents the plans made by Northwest Airlines to hire and train mechanics to replace those who took part in strike action against the company.
Tags: airlines; airports; Northwest; industrial action; strikes; airline mechanics; picket lines
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Fewer Crashes Caused by Pilots
This USA Today analysis of 22 years of crash data and several dozen interviews shows that the number of commercial airplane crashes caused by pilot error has decreased substantially. However, plenty of crashes are still occurring, they are just caused by poor maintenance. The federal government required minimal training for mechanics after they've been licensed, and the airplane industry often opposes improvements in maintenance because they are too costly. The article has a lot of good statistics about airplane crashes.
Tags: airplanes; aircraft; pilots; maintenance; Commercial Aviation Safety Team
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"Are the Airplanes We Fly More At Risk?"; Trends in maintenance, inspections, cost-cutting pose threat, experts say
This story uncovers the truth behind the majority of airpline crashes due to maintenance mistakes. In the past decade, maintenance problems have accounted for 42% of fatal airline accidents. Reporters found that many airlines are not spending enough time and money maintaining planes, and mechanics aren't checking planes as often. There is also an increase in the use of contractors for repair work, who often are not regulated as heavily, and are not as well trained.
Tags: maintence errors; FAA; airline crashes; contractors
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No title (id: 5906)
Newhall (Calif.) Signal documents cases where students were sexually and physically abused by school bus drivers; also tells how bus drivers failed to pick up developmentally disabled students, used and sold drugs, and falsified their certification while never completing state-mandatory training; also reveals the buses were mechanically unsafe, Oct. 16 - Nov. 6, 1988.