The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $50,000 civil penalty against Southern Airways Express, LCC, based in Addison, Texas, for alleged violations of weight-and-balance regulations. These violations occurred during an incident where an airplane’s nose rose into the air and the tail struck the ground during pushback for takeoff.
According to the agency, the issue originated in July 2024. Southern Airways Express allegedly failed to weigh passengers’ baggage before they boarded a Cessna Caravan. Consequently, the airline’s ground crew did not communicate the correct baggage weight to the flight crew. The flight crew then failed to complete the proper weight-and-balance calculations.
The FAA also notes that the aircraft seats were repositioned in a way not shown on the Weight Balance Change Form. Because of these errors, the agency alleges the aircraft was not in an airworthy condition at the time of the incident.
Southern Airways Express has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s notice to respond to the agency.
Summary written for CheckAero from the official document. It is not legal advice; read the full text before acting.