13 Firms May Be Fined Over Air Shipments

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration proposed $1.2 million in fines against 13 companies, including Dole Food Co., on charges of improperly shipping hazardous materials aboard aircraft. In all 13 cases, the agency alleged that improperly packed materials leaked while being handled by aircraft employees. An FAA spokeswoman said the companies will have an opportunity to meet with agency officials to appeal the fines. The largest of the fines, $300,000, was levied against Westlake Village-based Dole for shipment of hazardous material on six separate flights between the U.S., Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Dole Food representatives didn’t respond to calls for comment. Since the crash of a ValuJet Airlines Inc. plane in May 1996, caused by improperly packed oxygen generators that caught fire, the FAA has become more aggressive in enforcing regulations governing the shipment of hazardous materials.