The FMCSA today announced the agency has put the brakes on a Minnesota-based passenger carrier and has ordered the bus company to “immediately cease all passenger operations.”
According to a press release from the FMCSA, investigators found that the company, On Eagles Wings Charters, Inc., “was endangering the traveling public by failing to ensure the safety of its vehicles and drivers.”
FMCSA investigators found that On Eagles Wings Charters failed to “systematically” inspect, repair and maintain its vehicles. During an investigation of the site, FMCSA investigators found that of the five motorcoaches onsite, four were immediately ordered OOS for serious safety defects. Investigators found 40 separate safety violations, including inoperative brakes and broken frame rails. The fifth bus was cited for inoperable brakes on one axle and air leaks in the braking system.
In addition, “investigators found that the company failed to ensure that its drivers were properly qualified, licensed and adhering to federal hours-of-service limitations,” the FMCSA states. Eagles Wings was also cited for missing logs, exceeding HOS and falsifying driver logs.
“Individually and cumulatively, these violations substantially increase the likelihood of serious injury or death to On Eagles Wings Charters and the motoring public,” the FMCSA states.
“Our FMCSA safety investigators and inspectors will continue to work diligently to block unsafe commercial drivers from getting behind the wheel, and dangerous buses and trucks from getting on the road,” said Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Compliance with our safety regulations is not optional because even a seemingly minor infraction can potentially lead to a tragic consequence.”
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/