The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is alleging that a private jet charter firm based in the United States (US) operated a business aircraft on multiple flights when it was “not airworthy following improper maintenance”.
In a statement issued on March 13, 2024, the FAA claimed that Houston-based Empyreal Jet operated a Raytheon Hawker 800 private jet on approximately 31 flights with a reinstalled damaged rudder.
In September 2022, an inspection of the Hawker 800 discovered cracks in the skin of the jet’s rudder
The FAA alleges that In October 2022, Empyreal reinstalled the damaged rudder and staff entered in a maintenance log that they had replaced the original part.
The FAA is proposing that Empyreal Jet pay a civil penalty of $175,000.
According to flightradar24, Empyreal Jet operates a fleet comprised of the Raytheon Hawker 800 and the Gulfstream IV and is based out of William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Texas.
The company offers charter flights, a fractional ownership program and aircraft maintenance services.
The Raytheon Hawker 800 mid-size business aircraft that was developed from the British Aerospace BAe 25.
In 2005, production of the Hawker 800XP came to an end with the bulk of the remaining aircraft operating in North America.
“Empyreal has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency” the FAA said.
AeroTime has contacted Empyreal Jet for comment.
