'Unorthodox' inspection finds fault with American Eagle planes

Was a U.S. Transportation Security Administration inspector using cowboy tactics when he checked American Eagle aircraft at O'Hare Tuesday, or was he doing his utmost to ensure all was safe?

It's American Airlines' word against the TSA, as both organizations issued conflicting statements Wednesday concerning an incident that delayed 42 planes.

What's certain is that the inspector was checking the security of nine American Eagle planes Tuesday morning at O'Hare International Airport.

As part of his duties to see whether unattended planes could be vulnerable to tampering, the inspector pulled himself onto a plane using a tube extending from the side of the aircraft, TSA officials said. The inspector was able to gain entry to the interior of seven of the Eagles.

But American administrators called the conduct of the worker "unorthodox." When he hoisted himself onto the planes, the inspector touched sensitive equipment attached to the fuselage. His actions could have damaged the plane and required extra maintenance staff to come out and check that all the Eagles were airworthy, resulting in delays for hundreds of passengers.

The TSA responded it had no intention of causing damage and that its staff is expected to point out problems such as the ones the inspector found. The agency is assessing the inspector's report and could fine the airline.

"We are confident we followed proper procedures," American spokeswoman Andrea Huguely countered.