EMERY TO PAY FAA $1 MILLION SETTLEMENT

EMERY TO PAY FAA $1 MILLION SETTLEMENT    Emery Worldwide has agreed to pay $1 million to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration as part of a settlement that will allow the cargo carrier to fly within six months, according to a report.
   Under the settlement, Emery will pay the penalty without admitting any violations, and without the FAA claiming that violations had occurred. The company’s fleet was grounded Aug. 13 after FAA inspectors found the company did not comply with FAA requirements for safety and other related issues. Emery agreed on that date to immediately cease operating its fleet until it complied with FAA requirements. In February 2000, an Emery plane crashed near Sacramento, Calif., killing an eight-member crew.
   Emery will pay the fine in three installments, every March 30 through 2003, said Nancy Colvert, a spokesperson for Emery.
   “Basically, they don’t admit any violations and we don’t make any findings,” said Les Dorr, an FAA spokesperson.
   If the FAA finds the carrier is not in compliance with the FAA rulings, it reserves the right to initiate appropriate enforcement action, Colvert said. Emery and the FAA have agreed to consult with one another in an expedited fashion so Emery can return to normal operations, she added.
   “This is the next step in the process that was begun in August,” Colvert said.