Government Watchdog Finds FAA Struggles to Monitor United Airlines Safety

A federal audit reveals the FAA lacks proper staffing and resources to effectively oversee United Airlines' maintenance operations. The report cites workforce shortages, high turnover, and inappropriate use of remote inspections as key problems affecting aviation safety oversight.

Federal aviation safety oversight of United Airlines’ maintenance operations faces significant challenges due to staffing shortages, workforce turnover, and inappropriate reliance on remote inspections rather than in-person reviews, a government audit revealed Friday.

The Transportation Department’s inspector general determined that the Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t have adequate personnel or workforce planning strategies to properly monitor United’s extensive aircraft fleet. Similar oversight deficiencies have been identified at other major carriers including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Allegiant Air in previous government reviews.

While the FAA chose not to provide direct comments on the audit findings to The Associated Press, the agency referenced a response letter included in the report. The correspondence indicated the FAA accepted most audit recommendations and planned to implement corrective measures by year’s end.

“FAA will implement a more systemic approach to strengthen inspector capacity and will take other measures to ensure that staffing levels remain sufficient to meet surveillance requirements,” the letter said.

Key audit recommendations include reassessing staffing policies, conducting independent surveys of inspector workloads and workplace environment, and enhancing training for accessing United’s safety information systems. The report noted that current data access limitations prevent inspectors from properly analyzing maintenance concerns and safety patterns.

United Airlines responded to AP inquiries by emphasizing its collaborative relationship with federal regulators and its internal safety oversight programs.

“United has long advocated in favor of providing the FAA with the resources it needs for its important work,” the carrier said.

The inspector general conducted this review from May 2024 through December 2025, during a period marked by several maintenance-related incidents involving United aircraft.

Audit findings revealed that FAA personnel sometimes performed “virtual” inspections when lacking staff or travel funding, despite agency requirements to delay reviews that cannot be completed in person. Remote inspections pose safety concerns because inspectors might overlook or incorrectly assess maintenance deficiencies, according to the report.

“Inspectors we spoke with stated that their front-line managers instructed them to perform inspections virtually rather than postponing inspections,” the report said.

Persistent staffing gaps at FAA offices responsible for United oversight have led to reduced inspection frequency, limited monitoring of maintenance activities, and significant loss of experienced personnel and expertise.

Recent United incidents include a March 2024 emergency evacuation after a plane veered off a Houston runway following landing. The following day, another United aircraft lost a tire during San Francisco takeoff but successfully diverted to Los Angeles.

Most recently, in December 2025, a United flight experienced engine problems during departure from Dulles International Airport but returned safely to the terminal.