Settlement Announced Resolving Federal Civil Complaint Against Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc.

     The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today the settlement of a federal lawsuit against Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc., Chambersburg, Pennsylvania filed as a result of an inquiry by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

     According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, the civil Complaint, filed on November 7, 2012, claimed that Chambersburg Skydiving Center Inc. operated an aircraft in violation of the federal aviation regulations by failing to have the aircraft inspected, by failing to have annual inspections and operating the aircraft when it was not in an airworthy condition.

     Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc. will pay $10,000 in satisfaction of all alleged violations.  Additionally, Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc. agreed to fully cooperate with the FAA for the purpose of conducting inspections and investigations concerning compliance with federal aviation regulations.

     The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc. agreed that the terms of the settlement agreement were appropriate in light of the Chambersburg Skydiving Center’s status as a small business with limited financial resources and its record of no prior violations. Additionally, Chambersburg Skydiving Center, Inc. took measures to ensure the airworthiness of the aircraft once it became aware of any alleged violation including the timely repairs and inspections. The company is currently compliant with the FAA’s requirements and has agreed to cooperate with any future inspection or investigation by the FAA.

     The settlement agreement is subject to the approval of U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III, the judge to whom the case is assigned.

     This matter was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Judge, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Division in collaboration with the FAA’s Eastern Regional Counsel’s Office.