Transair’s AOC Might Be Revoked By The FAA After Last Year’s 737 Crash

In the wake of last year’s 737 ditching and a long-running safety investigation, the FAA wants to revoke Hawaii-based Transair’s AOC.

Transair Hawaii finds itself in deep water for the second time in less than a year. Last July, one of the airline’s Boeing 737-200 converted freighter aircraft ditched into the sea while operating a short inter-island flight (both pilots survived). Now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is threatening to strip Transair of its air operator’s certificate (AOC) after a long-running investigation uncovered some serious safety flaws.

A devastating takedown of Transair’s safety culture

In a statement issued last week, the FAA made five allegations against Rhoades Aviation Inc, the company that owns the Transair Hawaii brand. In a devastating takedown of the Honolulu-based cargo airline, the FAA statement says;

• The company failed to maintain safety management system records; address issues the FAA found with its general operations manual; conduct proper safety risk management when addressing discrepancies in its aircraft loading, weight and balance, and runway analysis manuals; provide revised manuals to the FAA; provide safety-risk-management documentation when it submitted its administration manual.
• Operated two Boeing 737s more than 900 times after failing to add the aircraft to its maintenance and inspection program.
• Operated a Boeing 737 airplane on 33 flights when it was not airworthy due to engine compressor fan blades that did not meet manufacturer standards.
• Committed numerous violations related to its FAA-required safety management system program, including failing to ensure that the program was properly implemented and performing in all areas of its organization.
• Conducted improper maintenance work on engine compressor fan blades and failed to properly document the work.

Wreckage of the Transair Boeing 737-200 is recovered after last July’s crash. Photo: NTSB

Transair’s long-running battles with the FAA

The Transair Hawaii brand operates cargo flights around Hawaii. Its fleet includes four Boeing 737-200s, while a sister company also owned by Rhoades Aviation operates a fleet of Bombardier SD3-60-300 turboprops. Initially, those Short 360s were outside the scope of the FAA’s investigation. Those turboprops kept flying while the Boeings sat grounded.

The FAA’s interest in Transair Hawaii predates the July 1, 2021, crash, although the crash shortly after takeoff from Honolulu International Airport (HNL) doubtless refocused attention on the airline. The FAA had proposed grounding the airline in June 2021, shortly before the July ditching. After the crash, Transair voluntarily grounded their fleet of four Boeing 737-200s for seven days while it checked them over. One jet briefly took to the air again before the FAA stepped in and grounded the Boeings in mid-July. Ten months down the track, the FAA wants to revoke Rhoades’ AOC.

The remains of the Transair Boeing 737-200 lying on the seabed floor. Photo: ATSB

Critically, the FAA alleges the airline flew one Boeing 737-200 thirty-three times when it was not airworthy. Further, the FAA also believes Rhoades Aviation did not conduct appropriate maintenance and inspections on another two Boeings. Rhoades disputes the latest FAA allegations.

”We look forward to successfully challenging the FAA’s proposed action and resuming flight operations,” Rhoades Aviation says in a statement. “Rhoades continues and has always considered safety their highest priority.”

Rhoades Aviation has 15 days to respond to the FAA after receiving the agency’s enforcement notice last week. The company advises it will challenge the allegations and is set to enter into talks with the FAA.

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