Report: Allegations verified that Northwest Airlines failed to follow FAA safety orders

Report: Whistle-blower allegations verified

WASHINGTON — A government watchdog has verified complaints by a federal inspector that Northwest Airlines wasn’t following Federal Aviation Administration safety orders and wasn’t being held accountable by the agency.

The report by the Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General also says the status of the airline’s compliance with more than 1,000 safety order remains unknown.

The report was completed in December and released Wednesday by the federal Office of Special Counsel, which handles whistle-blower complaints.

Northwest merged with Delta Airlines last year and now flies as Delta.

The report says the problem with complying with safety orders continued at least through the budget year ending Sept. 30, 2009.