US seeks $162M in fines against AMR, American Airlines

DALLAS (AP) -- Federal safety regulators are seeking up to $162.4 million in fines against American Airlines and its affiliates for alleged violations of U.S. safety standards going back several years.

Many of the investigations had not been disclosed until the Federal Aviation Administration filed documents describing them to the federal court handling the bankruptcy case of American and parent AMR Corp.

The documents underscore the scope of the FAA's concern about the maintenance program at American, the nation's third-largest airline. They come to light just as American tries to fix labor and financial problems and hopes to turn itself around in bankruptcy protection.

American says it never operated unsafe planes. The airline says it's been working with federal officials for several years to improve training and oversight in its maintenance operations.