After United flights roll off tarmac, lose tires, audit finds FAA isn’t staffed enough to do regular inspections

Fortune

by Rio Yamat, The Associated Press

February 21, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faces significant challenges in adequately overseeing airplane maintenance at United Airlines due to insufficient staffing, high employee turnover, and reliance on virtual inspections instead of on-site reviews. A recent audit by the U.S. Transportation Department’s inspector general revealed that the FAA lacks the resources and workforce planning needed to effectively monitor United’s large fleet. This issue has led to fewer inspections, limited surveillance of maintenance operations, and a loss of institutional knowledge. The report highlighted specific incidents, including a United plane rolling off a runway in Houston and a jetliner losing a tire during takeoff from San Francisco, underscoring the potential safety risks associated with inadequate oversight. The audit also found that FAA inspectors were often directed to perform inspections virtually when staffing or funding constraints prevented on-site reviews. This approach can be risky, as virtual inspections may lead to missed or misidentified maintenance issues. The report noted that front-line managers instructed inspectors to proceed with virtual inspections rather than postponing them, despite agency policies requiring on-site evaluations. United Airlines emphasized its commitment to working closely with the FAA and maintaining its own internal safety management system. However, the audit revealed broader challenges in the FAA’s ability to regulate airline maintenance programs, not just at United but also at other carriers like American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Allegiant Air. The FAA agreed with most of the inspector general’s recommendations, including reevaluating staffing rules, conducting an independent workplace survey of inspector workloads and office culture, and improving training on accessing and using safety data. The findings come amid a series of maintenance-linked incidents involving United, including engine failures and tire losses during takeoffs. These events have raised concerns about the broader implications for aviation safety. The audit highlights the importance of adequate staffing and resources for the FAA to ensure thorough inspections and maintain public trust in airline safety. For businesses, this issue underscores the potential financial and reputational risks associated with insufficient regulatory oversight and the need for robust safety management systems. The report’s recommendations aim to strengthen inspector capacity and improve training on safety data analysis. Implementing these changes could help address the current gaps in oversight and reduce the risk of future incidents. As aviation continues to face complex challenges, both airlines and regulators must prioritize transparency, collaboration, and resource allocation to ensure passenger safety remains a top priority.

Verticals

businessfinance

Originally published on Fortune on 2/21/2026