12:38 PM EDT, 05/09/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with the FAA's statement 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

"[W]e will evaluate FAA's actions to address maintenance non-compliances and violations at the air carrier," Smith said Thursday in a memo. "[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 and will visit United Airlines' maintenance hubs in Chicago.

"We welcome outside scrutiny and will cooperate fully with the audit," the FAA said in a statement to MT Newswires.

United Airlines declined to comment to MT Newswires.

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