The FAA has proposed a $325,000 civil penalty against Southwest Airlines for allegedly operating a Boeing 737 when that aircraft did not comply with the FARs related to aircraft skin repairs. An agency inspector performing an aging aircraft review in early July 2014 at the company’s maintenance facility in El Salvador discovered the company had improperly recorded a temporary repair to a nine-inch crease in the aluminum skin of the jetliner’s rear cargo door as a permanent repair. The airline first made the repair and reported the fuselage damage in the maintenance records on May 2, 2002.

Southwest was required to inspect the temporary repair every 4,000 flights and complete a permanent repair within 24,000 flights. However, the agency alleges the airline operated the aircraft on 24,831 flights without performing the periodic inspections required for the temporary repair. The agency further alleges the airline operated the airplane on 4,831 flights beyond the flight threshold when it was required to have completed the permanent repair, which was completed on July 24, 2014.

Southwest has asked to meet with the FAA to discuss the case.