MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS

FAA inspection records, released to The Miami Herald under the Freedom of Information Act, detail "numerous discrepancies and violations'' of federal aviation regulations by Miami Air Lease since 2000.

Some inspections found maintenance upkeep "not being documented as required," along with a cracked wingtip, excessive oil leaks, loose rivets, hydraulic leaks, worn latches, frayed electrical conduits and incomplete documentation.

When the FAA turned out for a 2000 inspection, a former office manager "refused to provide any records and became belligerent, threatening and abusive," records say.

A July 2004 ramp inspection of the plane that would later crash near Aventura said advertising on the sides of the fuselage obstructed the required borders showing where to cut for emergency rescue.

To each issue, the company agreed to make corrections, and the FAA signed off.

After its latest incident, the FAA in January told Alpizar it had found issues of noncompliance involving the company's aircraft, records and procedures. Miami Air Lease is challenging the FAA's findings.

"We answered every single one of those charges," new maintenance coordinator Paul Richards said recently. "We are probably several weeks away from flying."