The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $70,500 civil penalty against Verizon Communications, Inc., based in New York, for allegedly violating hazardous materials regulations during air transportation.
This enforcement action underscores the FAA’s oversight of entities introducing dangerous goods into aviation commerce, including manufacturers, freight forwarders, and businesses. The regulations, governed by 49 CFR Parts 171-180 and enforced under 14 CFR Part 13, Subpart H, set maximum civil penalties at $27,500 per violation, adjusted periodically from earlier limits like $25,000 under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA).
The FAA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety conducts inspections beyond airports to ensure compliance. Recent similar cases include a $170,000 penalty against Mobile Sentrix for undeclared lithium-ion battery shipments on FedEx flights, where a fire occurred, and a $60,000 fine on LG Energy Solution for improper packaging from Seoul to Los Angeles.
Penalty guidelines in FAA Order Change 26 provide a framework for assessing sanctions based on violation severity, such as the number of packages and hazardous material quantity. Air carriers must verify operations specifications for dangerous goods before acceptance.
This proposal aligns with ongoing FAA efforts to mitigate risks from hazardous materials, including lithium batteries in passenger compartments, as highlighted in recent safety alerts.