Feds look into Eclipse jet safety complaint

WASHINGTON -- Federal officials are investigating claims that regulators approved the design of a revolutionary new small jet in 2006 despite safety concerns raised by the engineers and test pilots who evaluated the plane, congressional officials said.

The Eclipse 500 jet holds three passengers and is being touted by a Florida charter carrier as an affordable alternative to corporate jet travel.

The Transportation Department's Inspector General has been asked by Congress to investigate the claims of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees who said that the Eclipse 500 had safety problems when it was approved, said Jim Berard, spokesman for the House Transportation Committee. The panel expects a briefing on the investigation within weeks, he said.

The FAA last month briefly grounded the aircraft after a flaw was discovered that caused an Eclipse to lose power and nearly crash in Chicago.

The union that represents the FAA aircraft certification workers, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, filed a grievance in October 2006, alleging that the agency approved the jet despite "several outstanding safety/regulatory issues."

The grievance does not specifically identify the safety issues raised by FAA employees.

The FAA stands by the approval of the jet, said agency spokeswoman Laura Brown. The grievance was denied by the FAA, she said.

The union said it expects to bring the grievance to arbitration.

Eclipse CEO Vern Raburn said that the plane had undergone a review by the FAA and is in "complete and total conformity" with federal regulations. Raburn said he considers the complaint an issue between FAA workers and upper-level managers.

The Eclipse is the first of a new generation of so-called "very light jets" that supporters say will open to the masses the comfort and convenience of flying in a private jet. NASA and the FAA predicted thousands of similar jets will be flying within a decade.

Eclipse has sold about 200 of the Eclipse 500s.

If the claims of FAA employees prove true, it could harm the reputation of the jet and provide a black eye for the manufacturer. If critical safety issues emerge, it could even temporarily halt sales or force costly equipment upgrades.