Associated Press | Federal regulators are proposing a penalty of nearly $2.5 million against AMR Corp.’s American Eagle, a sister carrier of American Airlines, for not making sure crews had accurate information about the weight of baggage on dozens of flights.

Incorrect takeoff weights are considered a safety hazard if pilots rely on faulty information when determining the right speed for takeoff and landing.

The FAA charged that Eagle operated at least 39 flights after being told of the problem.

American Eagle representatives did not immediately return a call for comment.

The airline, which often connects passengers from secondary airports to
main hub airports served by American Airlines, has 30 days to respond
to the FAA.

The FAA said that between January and October 2008, Eagle operated at
least 154 flights in which baggage weight listed on cargo records
differed from data entered into an automated system for tracking and
balancing weight.

The agency said that Eagle eventually corrected the situation by
changing its operating manual to ensure that proper weight and balance
information is confirmed.

Weight and balance of cargo is important for all planes but is
considered a more significant issue for the kinds of smaller jets
typically operated by Eagle and other regional carriers because they
are lighter “and every pound becomes important,” said FAA spokesman
Lynn Lunsford.

“When you get on an airplane, they are strategically locating baggage
and other cargo in the hold so the plane remains balanced,” he said.
Cargo is often secured inside the hold by containers or nets to prevent
it from shifting during flight, which would make it harder to control
the plane.

Penalties such as the one against Eagle are often negotiated down by the airline and the FAA.

Southwest Airlines Co. agreed last year to pay $7.5 million for
operating planes that had not undergone required inspections for
fuselage cracks. The FAA originally proposed a $10.2 million fine, the
largest ever against a U.S. carrier.

The proposed penalty against Eagle is the latest in a series of actions
the FAA has taken against U.S. airlines for alleged safety violations.

Southwest grounded more than 40 planes last year after inspectors found
repairs were done with unapproved parts. In 2008, the FAA ordered
American Airlines to pay a $7.1 million penalty for using jets without
first fixing problems with their autopilot systems. Separately,
American and other airlines grounded hundreds of aircraft over concerns
that wiring in the wheel wells could short out and cause fires.

“The traveling public has to be confident that airlines are following
important safety rules,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on
Monday. “When they are not operating to the highest levels of safety,
they are subject to stiff fines.”