ABC News is reporting that a number of American Eagle aircraft, which were parked on the ramp at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, were damaged during an overnight spot check of aircraft security. The report says a TSA inspector, "as part of spot inspection of aircraft security, climbed onto the parked aircraft using control sensors mounted on the fuselage as handholds." Nine of the aircraft had to be grounded for repairs, according to ABC News.Elio Montenegro, a TSA official in Chicago, is said to have confirmed that the incident(s) occurred. "Our inspector was following routine procedure for securing the aircraft that were on the tarmac," Montenegro told ABCNews.com.
Don't TSA inspectors who work around aircraft know the difference between a TAT probe and a handhold? Perhaps someone needs additional aircraft-specific training.
