Guam's Asia Pacific Airlines fined for sacking whistleblower

The US Department of Labor has ordered Asia Pacific Airlines (Guam) to pay more than US$2m in wages, damages, and legal fees to a pilot disciplined, suspended, and eventually sacked for raising aircraft safety concerns. The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ordered Asia Pacific Airlines to pay their former employee US$419,267 in back pay plus interest, eight years of future salary, US$27,596 in interest on loans and restoration of 401k contributions, US$75,000 in damages, and reasonable attorney fees. In addition, it was ordered to expunge the employee’s record and provide training to current employees on their rights. A three-year investigation found that the pilot, Captain Brant Swigart, repeatedly raised concerns that the cargo carrier's maintenance team was approving maintenance and repair reports without properly diagnosing engine problems.<br/>