Aviation Safety

The United States operates one of the safest and most complex aviation systems in the world. Responsibility for maintaining this high level of safety is shared by many, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air carriers, and aircraft manufacturers.  FAA and the aviation industry rely on a series of overlapping controls to ensure that aircraft are safely operated and maintained.  Despite U.S. air transportation's impressive safety record, Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigations reveal that there are those willing to compromise aviation safety by engaging in illegal activities.  In this regard, OIG has consistently identified aviation safety as one of the top management challenges facing the Department.  OIG's aviation safety investigations generally fall into four categories:

• Illegal manufacture or distribution of aircraft parts that do not meet FAA standards.
• False certification of a person's qualification to operate an aircraft, conduct aircraft repairs, or to act as an aircraft mechanic.
• False statements regarding the condition of aircraft or filing false aircraft certifications.
• Transport of hazardous materials by air without proper certification.