11:58 AM EDT, 05/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates to add details in the second and third paragraphs, and attempt to reach FAA and United Airlines declining to comment in the fourth paragraph.)

The US Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General will conduct an audit of the Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of United Airlines' (UAL) maintenance program, said Nelda Smith, assistant inspector general for aviation audits, in a memo.

"[W]e will evaluate FAA's actions to address maintenance non-compliances and violations at the air carrier," Smith said. "[R]ecent safety events with United Airlines -- such as flight diversions that can be traced to mechanical problems -- serve to remind us that FAA oversight of maintenance programs is paramount."

The Office of Inspector General said they will begin the audit later in May at FAA headquarters in Washington, DC, and will visit United Airlines' maintenance hubs in Chicago.

United Airlines declined to comment while the FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment by MT Newswires.

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