The FAA proposed a $175,000 civil penalty against Houston-based air charter operator Empyreal Jet for allegedly operating a Hawker 800XP in unairworthy condition following "improper" maintenance.
"An inspection in September 2022 found cracks in the skin of the jet’s rudder," the FAA alleged. "In October 2022, Empyreal reinstalled the damaged rudder and subsequently operated the plane on approximately 31 revenue flights. Empyreal personnel entered in a maintenance log that they had replaced the rudder when in fact they reinstalled the original damaged part."
Empyreal has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency. The company, which has about 15 employees and a fleet of two Hawker 800XPs and a Bombardier Learjet 60, did not respond to AIN’s request for comment at press time.