WASHINGTON– A new federal audit has found that oversight of United Airlines (UA) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been limited by staffing shortages and workforce planning gaps. The findings come after several high-profile maintenance-related incidents involving United aircraft across major U.S. airports.
United Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the United States, operates extensive domestic and international networks, including services from Houston (IAH), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and Washington Dulles (IAD). The audit indicates that insufficient FAA inspector staffing may have reduced the frequency and depth of maintenance surveillance for the airline’s large fleet.
FAA Staffing Shortage
The U.S. Transportation Department’s inspector general conducted the audit between May 2024 and December 2025.
The review concluded that the FAA lacks adequate staffing levels and long-term workforce planning to consistently monitor United’s maintenance operations.
Investigators found that inspection offices responsible for overseeing the United faced high employee turnover and limited personnel availability. These constraints resulted in fewer on-site inspections and reduced direct surveillance of maintenance activities.
The report also cited a broader concern about institutional knowledge loss within inspection teams.
As experienced staff leave and positions remain unfilled, continuity in oversight and familiarity with airline-specific maintenance programs can decline.
Virtual Inspections Concerns
The audit highlighted the use of virtual inspections in situations where in-person reviews were required.
According to the findings, some inspectors were directed by managers to complete reviews remotely due to staffing or travel funding limitations.
FAA policy requires postponing inspections if they cannot be conducted on-site. However, the report stated that virtual reviews may increase safety risks because inspectors could miss or misinterpret maintenance conditions without physical access to aircraft and facilities.
The inspector general recommended reevaluating staffing models and conducting an independent workplace survey to assess inspector workloads and office culture. It also called for enhanced training so inspectors can better access and analyze United’s safety data systems.
In response, the FAA said it agreed with most of the recommendations and plans to implement corrective measures.
The agency stated it will adopt a more systemic approach to strengthen inspector capacity and ensure staffing aligns with surveillance requirements, reported Fortune.
Recent United Incidents
The audit followed a series of maintenance-linked events involving United aircraft. In March 2024, passengers evacuated after a United aircraft rolled off a runway following landing in Houston.
A day later, a United jet departing San Francisco for Japan lost a tire during takeoff. The aircraft diverted and landed safely in Los Angeles, and no serious injuries were reported.
In December 2025, another United flight experienced an engine failure during takeoff from Washington Dulles and returned safely to the airport. While each event concluded without catastrophic outcomes, the incidents intensified scrutiny of maintenance oversight.
Bottom Line
United stated that it works closely with the FAA and maintains its own internal safety management system.
The airline also expressed support for providing the FAA with adequate resources to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities.
The audit underscores ongoing challenges within federal aviation oversight as airlines operate large and complex fleets.
As U.S. carriers continue to expand operations, regulators face increasing pressure to ensure inspection capacity keeps pace with industry growth.
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