Lion will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026. Online training support is available via support@lion.com.
Search

Aviation Company Faces $5.9M Penalty for Failure to Train Hazmat Employees

Posted on 5/27/2020 by Lauren Scott

An Atlanta-based transportation company has been cited for allegedly operating illegal cargo flights and failing to provide hazmat training for employees as required by 49 CFR 172.704 and the IATA DGR.

FAA alleges the company did not have an approved hazardous materials training program and did not provide initial and recurrent hazardous materials training to all its crew members as required. FAA further alleges the company did not have an approved pilot training program.

Build on your 49 CFR expertise and learn the unique IATA DGR requirements for domestic and international hazmat air shipments with Lion’s Hazmat Air Shipper Certification Online Course.

Between 2017 and 2019, the company allegedly operated a Cessna Caravan, Beechcraft Super King Air, and CASA 212-200 on a total of 270 illegal cargo flights. According to FAA, the company did not have a commercial operating certificate, advertised and offered to perform operations that required such a certificate, received compensation for the flights, and used pilots who had not passed required tests and flight-competency checks.

The flights occurred between Raleigh-Durham Airport, Albert J. Ellis Airport, Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, and Dare Country Regional Airport in North Carolina; Columbia Metropolitan Airport and Beaufort County Airport in South Carolina; and Eastern Iowa Airport and Spencer Municipal Airport in Iowa.

FAA has issued a fine of $5.89 million to the Atlanta-based aviation company. The company has 30 days after receiving FAA’s enforcement action to respond or contest the decision.

US DOT hazmat civil penalties can be as high as $81,993 per day, per violation.

Failure to provide hazmat employee training can result in a minimum fine of $493 per day, per violation. 

Save Your Seat for Summer 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Webinarsonline hazmat training

Join experienced Lion instructors in a series of hazmat webinar training sessions and develop the in-depth expertise you need to keep hazardous materials moving safely and in compliance—by ground, air, and vessel.

Recurrent Hazmat Ground Shipper (DOT)
July 21 & August 11

Hazmat Air Shipper (IATA)
July 14 & August 12

Hazmat Vessel Shipper (IMDG)
July 23 & August 13
 

Tags: hazardous materials, hazmat, hazmat training, IATA, IATA Training

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor made the class enjoyable. He presented in a very knowledgeable, personable manner. Best class I've ever attended. Will take one again.

John Nekoloff

Environmental Compliance Manager

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.