A Spotty Record

WASHINGTON, D.C.: ValuJet has experienced both rapid growth and some serious safety setbacks since it began operation in June of 1995. On the initial flight to Boston, the landing gear malfunctioned, prompting passengers to assume the crash position. A flight to Miami caught fire when the engines of the aging DC-9 exploded. Even though no fatalities occurred, the incidents prompted a review of the airline by the FAA. In its original review in February, the FAA found that ValuJet followed Federal Aviation rules, regulations and procedures to the full extent of the law. Since the crash, the FAA has decided to move up and extend a previously scheduled seven-day checkup of the airline. The new investigation will focus on contract maintenance, cockpit resource management , internal processes for monitoring the maintenance of ValuJet aircraft, and dispatch and control of in-flight operations. The FAA continues to reassure passengers that the price of a ticket has nothing to do with the safety of an airline. -->