By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Transportation Department Office of Inspector General (DOT OIG) will audit the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of United Airlines maintenance practices, the agency watchdog said on Thursday.
“We will evaluate FAA’s actions to address maintenance non-compliances and violations at the air carrier,” the DOT OIG said on its website.
Over the past five years, the inspector general has issued several audit reports and recommendations on FAA’s oversight of maintenance at Allegiant Air, Southwest Airlines (NYSE:), and American Airlines (NASDAQ:) and is currently reviewing SkyWest (NASDAQ:) Airlines.
United and FAA did not immediately comment.
In March, the FAA said it was increasing its oversight of United following recent safety incidents, saying it would initiate a formal evaluation to ensure the Chicago-based airline was complying with safety regulations.
The DOT OIG said on Thursday: “recent safety events with United…