Oxygen Shipper in ValuJet Crash Fined $2 Million

Federal regulators are fining a maintenance contractor $2.25 million for improperly handling oxygen generators blamed for a fire aboard the ValuJet plane that crashed in the Florida Everglades in 1996.

The fine, announced Thursday against SabreTech Inc., is the largest the Federal Aviation Administration has assessed for hazardous materials violations. The company, which called the FAA’s action “neither necessary nor justified,” said it planned to dispute the proposed civil penalty.

The shipment of canisters, used to supply air to passengers during emergencies when oxygen masks drop, was put on ValuJet Flight 592 for a May 11, 1996, trip from Miami to Atlanta. Investigators said one or more of the oxygen generators triggered a fire in the cargo compartment. The plane crashed, killing all 110 people aboard.

SabreTech knowingly offered the shipment of about 125 unexpended oxygen generators and 10 spent generators for transport on a passenger flight, the FAA said.