The FAA alleges that on July 19, 2001, HPA improperly shipped a passenger service unit with an attached and undeclared chemical oxygen generator. The hazardous materials were not declared, the crew was not notified the flight was carrying such materials and the shipment was in packages that did not meet specifications for its transport. Oxygen generators are prohibited from being transported as cargo on passenger aircraft.
The route of this package was Haikou to Beijing. The shipment then flew on a United Airline passenger flight from Beijing, to Narita, Japan, to San Francisco. Calif., arriving on July 20. Once in the United States, the shipment was transferred to ground transportation and arrived in Seattle on July 23, 2001. The Boeing Seattle Service Center opened it and discovered the oxygen generator.
FAA alleges that HPA shipped hazardous materials that were not properly classed, described, packaged, marked, labeled or in a condition for shipment required by the hazardous materials regulations. FAA further alleged that Hainan did not provide required emergency response information.
HPA will have 30 days from its receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency.