FAA Grounds Great American Airways

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration announced it has grounded regional airline Great American Airways, operated by Target Airways Ltd. of Reno, Nev. The FAA said an emergency order revoking Target Airways’ air carrier certificate was based on numerous findings, including that the airline falsified flight and duty time records, training records and load manifest documents. The findings followed a detailed FAA investigation triggered by a whistleblower’s complaints about the firm’s operations. The FAA said its investigation found that while senior Great American pilots’ flight and duty time records showed they complied with regulations on required flight time and rest periods, other records showed the pilots flew too many hours and did not receive adequate rest periods. The airline may appeal the order to the National Transportation Safety Board.