FedExwhistleblower
Member
The FedEx aircraft maintenance facility at LAX is in violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Far 145.103 (v) (b). With no action from the FAA. They operate out of a hangar with only 3 walls due to the fact the facility is not large enough to accommodate the aircraft. Leaving a good portion of the tail hanging out in the elements while doing Major Structural Repairs. This causes issues with shoring and expansion and contraction differentials due to the tail being in the sun, cold, wind, and rain, and when it rains it has been known to rain half way into the hangar due to the wind, and has put inches of rain water inside the open aircraft. The fog gets so bad being a mile off the ocean that there are occasions you can't see the aircraft in the adjacent bay not to mention the salt air that bare aluminum parts are exposed to on a daily basis. These issues contribute to improper structural repairs and are exactly why that Regulation exists.
FedEx has to the best of my knowledge never provided structures training to their mechanics in violation of FAR 145.163, 145.51(a)(7) and 121.375, while the FAA approved their training programs. FedEx also during my employment changed their hiring practices to remove any basic skills test or questions pertaining to structural repairs in order to get hired as a structural mechanic. In fact they put an Avionics Manager in charge of hiring mechanics for their structures department at LAX. These circumstances along with a hostile work environment have lead to many airworthiness issues and violations on DC10/MD10, MD11 aircraft that in some cases are over 40 years old.
FedEx's maintenance practices were so bad I was forced to go to upper management and subsequently the FAA, both of which failed to properly investigate my complaints, furthermore the FAA failed to protect me under the Whistleblower Protection Act. This lack of enforcement on the FAA's part resulted in my being repeatedly, harassed and retaliated against by FedEx for safety complaints and terminated 2 years ago. The FAA failed to substantiate any of my claims regarding my first whistleblower case. FAA Audits and Evaluations, wouldn't admit to a cover up, yet claimed their investigators were unqualified. I was issued another whistleblower case and contacted my Senator, initiating a congressional inquiry. To Note: I am not the only mechanic at FedEx LAX with WhistleBlower Complaints. And not the only individual to be retaliated against or terminated. OSHA DOL has also refused to do proper investigations regarding FedEx further hurting anyone with a whistleblower complaint.
I have after countless hours of work on my part, gotten the FAA to do at least a partial investigation of my claims. At the initiation of my second Whistleblower complaint the FAA promised a thorough investigation that would involve 18 investigators and months to perform. That quickly got whittled down to 4 investigators prepared with a laundry list of excuses and little motivation.
Even though there have been many hurdles the FAA has at least substantiated that FedEX has not accomplished repairs in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual. Substantiated that FedEx ignored needed repairs. Substantiated that Substantial damage was done to an aircraft during repairs. Substantiated Illegal sign off of repairs and also Substantiated, illegal repair and sign-off of repair.
The FAA "Partially Substantiated" (This term I believe is used to try and protect FedEx and possibly allow FedEx to continue to operate suspected "Unairworthy" Aircraft). They "Partially Substantiated" Pressuring mechanics not to write up problems with the aircraft. Also "Partially Substantiated" a Major Repair that which as stated in an Airworthiness Directive "could result in loss of fail-safe capability of the vertical stabilizer and reduced controllability of the airplaine" Improperly Repaired per the FAA. Partially Substantiated signing off of Pressure Vessel repairs as non Pressurized area. The complaints that the FAA Substantiated, or "Partially Substantiated" should bring into question the airworthiness of the entire FedEx fleet. These violations should and probably would ground an air carrier that does not have the financial resources, political influence, or amount of attorneys that FedEx Possesses.
The FAA has also ignored to investigate, or at the very least failed to admit they investigated other serious violations regarding aircraft maintenance, falsification of Aircraft Safety Documents and the airworthiness of certain aircraft. They have also failed to investigate or admit to an investigation regarding the lack of training, and skills possessed by FedEx aircraft structural mechanics.
Til this day the FAA has not been transparent enough to publicly acknowledge that there was even an investigation, no less their findings and if there was any corrective action or fines imposed against FedEx. They should be required to inform the public of violations committed by air carriers and their corrective actions in order to insure the safety of the pilots, crew and the general public.
This was stated by an FAA rep. during the Southwest investigation. "We are told that the airlines are our customers, and if they do well we do well--more jobs for us. I can't post a link here but this information is easily found.
I still feel the FAA owes not just myself, but the pilots, crew and the general public a thorough investigation as promised and that the FAA and FedEx be held accountable for the lack of oversight, maintenance violations, and disregard for the Regulations and public safety.
During my research I have not been able to find that FedEx has been filing all the lawsuits against them, as I believe they are required to do so for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 10k reports. This I would imagine is due to the fact that FedEx could be in violation regarding Federal Contracts, and definitely does not serve stockholders or investors fairly making educated investment decisions.
FedEx has to the best of my knowledge never provided structures training to their mechanics in violation of FAR 145.163, 145.51(a)(7) and 121.375, while the FAA approved their training programs. FedEx also during my employment changed their hiring practices to remove any basic skills test or questions pertaining to structural repairs in order to get hired as a structural mechanic. In fact they put an Avionics Manager in charge of hiring mechanics for their structures department at LAX. These circumstances along with a hostile work environment have lead to many airworthiness issues and violations on DC10/MD10, MD11 aircraft that in some cases are over 40 years old.
FedEx's maintenance practices were so bad I was forced to go to upper management and subsequently the FAA, both of which failed to properly investigate my complaints, furthermore the FAA failed to protect me under the Whistleblower Protection Act. This lack of enforcement on the FAA's part resulted in my being repeatedly, harassed and retaliated against by FedEx for safety complaints and terminated 2 years ago. The FAA failed to substantiate any of my claims regarding my first whistleblower case. FAA Audits and Evaluations, wouldn't admit to a cover up, yet claimed their investigators were unqualified. I was issued another whistleblower case and contacted my Senator, initiating a congressional inquiry. To Note: I am not the only mechanic at FedEx LAX with WhistleBlower Complaints. And not the only individual to be retaliated against or terminated. OSHA DOL has also refused to do proper investigations regarding FedEx further hurting anyone with a whistleblower complaint.
I have after countless hours of work on my part, gotten the FAA to do at least a partial investigation of my claims. At the initiation of my second Whistleblower complaint the FAA promised a thorough investigation that would involve 18 investigators and months to perform. That quickly got whittled down to 4 investigators prepared with a laundry list of excuses and little motivation.
Even though there have been many hurdles the FAA has at least substantiated that FedEX has not accomplished repairs in accordance with the Structural Repair Manual. Substantiated that FedEx ignored needed repairs. Substantiated that Substantial damage was done to an aircraft during repairs. Substantiated Illegal sign off of repairs and also Substantiated, illegal repair and sign-off of repair.
The FAA "Partially Substantiated" (This term I believe is used to try and protect FedEx and possibly allow FedEx to continue to operate suspected "Unairworthy" Aircraft). They "Partially Substantiated" Pressuring mechanics not to write up problems with the aircraft. Also "Partially Substantiated" a Major Repair that which as stated in an Airworthiness Directive "could result in loss of fail-safe capability of the vertical stabilizer and reduced controllability of the airplaine" Improperly Repaired per the FAA. Partially Substantiated signing off of Pressure Vessel repairs as non Pressurized area. The complaints that the FAA Substantiated, or "Partially Substantiated" should bring into question the airworthiness of the entire FedEx fleet. These violations should and probably would ground an air carrier that does not have the financial resources, political influence, or amount of attorneys that FedEx Possesses.
The FAA has also ignored to investigate, or at the very least failed to admit they investigated other serious violations regarding aircraft maintenance, falsification of Aircraft Safety Documents and the airworthiness of certain aircraft. They have also failed to investigate or admit to an investigation regarding the lack of training, and skills possessed by FedEx aircraft structural mechanics.
Til this day the FAA has not been transparent enough to publicly acknowledge that there was even an investigation, no less their findings and if there was any corrective action or fines imposed against FedEx. They should be required to inform the public of violations committed by air carriers and their corrective actions in order to insure the safety of the pilots, crew and the general public.
This was stated by an FAA rep. during the Southwest investigation. "We are told that the airlines are our customers, and if they do well we do well--more jobs for us. I can't post a link here but this information is easily found.
I still feel the FAA owes not just myself, but the pilots, crew and the general public a thorough investigation as promised and that the FAA and FedEx be held accountable for the lack of oversight, maintenance violations, and disregard for the Regulations and public safety.
During my research I have not been able to find that FedEx has been filing all the lawsuits against them, as I believe they are required to do so for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 10k reports. This I would imagine is due to the fact that FedEx could be in violation regarding Federal Contracts, and definitely does not serve stockholders or investors fairly making educated investment decisions.