Story ID: 
FAA Loses Appeal over air trek Award
By: AIN Staff
Caption: The NTSB last month denied an FAA appeal of a judicial decision requiring the agency to pay Punta Gorda, Fla.-based aeromedical operator Air Trek $120,169.
Word Count: 141
The NTSB last month denied an FAA appeal of a judicial decision requiring the agency to pay Punta Gorda, Fla.-based aeromedical operator Air Trek $120,169.35  in attorney fees and expenses related to the FAA’s emergency revocation of Air Trek’s Part 135 certificate in June 2008. An NTSB administrative law judge reversed the FAA’s emergency order of revocation in October 2008, saying the FAA was “inadequately prepared” and could not sustain its burden of proof. He also ordered the FAA to pay Air Trek for attorney’s fees and costs. During a March 4 appeals hearing, in which the FAA sought to annul this award, the administrative judge instead increased it to $121,991.34. Meanwhile, the FAA last month filed a charge against the aeromedical company’s chief pilot, seeking to suspend his pilot and A&P certificates for 90 days.