American Airlines mechanic accused of sabotage fired by Alaska AIrlines

Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani, 60, (AMMAA)  worked as an American Airlines mechanic since 1988 and simultaneously for Alaska Airlines from 1988. However, in 2008 he was fired after several maintenance screwups, some to the point at which the Federal Aviation Administration had to investigate, as per court documents from a failed discrimination lawsuit AMMAA filed. His mechanics license was briefly suspended by the FAA.

Meanwhile, American Airlines kept AMMAA on board.

In the latest case, he is accused of tampering with the navigation system on a scheduled Miami to Bahamas flight. He was arrested by the FBI on Thursday and charged with willfully damaging, destroying or disabling an aircraft in July after he was alleged to have used foam to obstruct a tube beneath the cockpit. 

Fortunately, the pilots discovered the problem via the aircraft warning system before takeoff of Flight 2834.

AMMAA was reportedly angry over stalled contract negotiations between the airline and mechanics union and claimed that did not want to hurt anyone. His aim was to delay or cancel the flight in order for him to collect overtime pay. He didn't let his past screwups get in the way to his decision-making.

Alani hadn’t had any major performance or disciplinary problems with American until he was suspended after his arrest, but there's always a first time for this guy.

And to add insult to potential injury, Alaska said it found at least three instances in which AMMAA was clocked in at both American and Alaska Airlines, according to Business Insider. It isn't known if he did that on his own, or had a co-conspirator assist in the deception.

Aviation experts said passengers were likely not at risk due to Alani’s tampering, but the most worrisome aspect of this case is how he fell through the cracks at American Airlines in the first place. 

Should the FAA have informed American Airlines about the problems AMMAA had with Alaska Airlines? After all, the FAA is the common denominator that was aware of his serious mistakes, license suspension and perhaps even his firing.

Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani is due to be arraigned September 20.

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