FAA to fine Continental Airlines for flying plane without fixing its landing gear

FAA to fine Continental over plane’s landing gear

WASHINGTON — Federal aviation officials say they want to fine Continental Airlines $325,000 for operating a plane on at least a dozen flights without fixing a problem with its landing gear.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that in December 2008 the crew of a Continental Boeing 737 flying from Houston to Los Angeles saw a warning light related to the plane’s landing gear, but decided to continue the flight. The agency said the flight wound up being diverted to Phoenix after the crew noticed the plane was burning excessive fuel.

FAA said Continental continued to operate the plane on at least a dozen more passenger-carrying flights before fixing the problem.

The airline has 30 days to respond.