FAA reassigns inspection chief after testimony

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday reassigned one of its regional managers in the wake of an investigation into growing allegations of ignored safety violations, attempted retribution and cover-ups within the agency.

Thomas Stuckey, an FAA regional chief of inspectors, was given unspecified new duties four days after testimony before Congress focused on violations and other problems at Southwest Airlines, FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said.

"He's in an administrative position that does not have safety oversight responsibilities," Brown said. She declined to comment further.

The move is the latest development in a controversy that led the agency to fine Southwest $10.2 million for flying jets without required inspections for potentially dangerous skin cracks. Other airlines then grounded hundreds of jets in a federal safety review.

Several allegations before the House transportation committee hearing Thursday pointed at Stuckey's office, which oversees the southwestern states. He denied wrongdoing at the hearing.

One FAA inspector testified that one of Stuckey's subordinates ordered the inspector to destroy notes from an internal investigation. Terry Lambert said that the request came as Congressional investigators launched their probe last fall.

Stuckey told Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the committee, that he did not know about a request to destroy records.

A woman who answered the phone at Stuckey's home on Monday said he was not available for comment.

The former manager of the FAA's Southwest office, Michael Mills, testified that he agreed with inspectors who believed that Southwest was getting lenient treatment. Mills told Congress that he was repeatedly blocked by Stuckey from taking action.