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

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

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

I love that the instructor emphasized the thought process behind the regs.

Rebecca Saxena

Corporate Product Stewardship Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

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.