FAA Proposes $50,000 Civil Penalty Against Sikorsky Support Services for Hazardous Materials Violations

FORT WORTH -- The Federal Aviation Administration has
proposed to assess a $50,000 civil penalty against Sikorsky
Support Services, Inc., of Stratford, Conn., for allegedly violating
Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.

FAA alleged that on October 30, 2000, Sikorsky Support Services,
Inc., offered three aviation fuel control units containing residual
amounts of a flammable liquid to Federal Express Corporation for
transportation by air from Alabama to New Mexico. Residual fuel
in the units is considered "dangerous goods in machinery" under
the rules and is classified as a hazardous material.

The shipment was discovered by an FAA special security agent at
the Federal Express air cargo facility in Albuquerque, three days
later. Leaking fuel had saturated a corner of the shipment's outer
packing. FAA alleged that Sikorsky Support Services, Inc.
offered the shipment of hazardous material when it was not
properly classed, described, packaged, labeled, marked or in
condition for shipment as required by the regulations. In addition,
Sikorsky failed to make emergency response information
available.

Sikorsky Support Services, Inc. has 30 days from receipt of the
FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency. This
announcement is made in accordance with the FAA's practice of
releasing information to the public on newly issued enforcement
actions involving proposed penalties of $50,000 of more.