WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation

Administration's oversight of ​United Airlines'

maintenance practices ‌is hindered by low ⁠staffing, ineffective

workforce training and ⁠hurdles to ‌accessing ‌air carrier data, a

federal watchdog ​said Friday.

The ‌U.S. Transportation Department Office of ​Inspector

General in ​early ‌2024 announced the audit of the FAA's ⁠oversight

of United after ⁠the FAA boosted oversight of United following a

series of ⁠safety ‌incidents.

OIG said ‌Friday the FAA's ⁠oversight is "insufficient to

oversee safety risks" and said the FAA has at times conducted

inspections virtually ​because of a lack of inspectors instead ​of

postponing ‌them.

(Reporting by David ​Shepardson)