Southwest Grounds 38 Jets

Southwest Airlines grounded 38 jets Wednesday after finding what it called an "ambiguity" in their inspection maintenance records.

The Dallas-based carrier, which runs about 80 percent of the traffic out of Houston's Hobby Airport, also indicated more interruptions could be coming if the need arises during its own investigation into plane inspections.

The airline this week suspended three workers after getting hit with a record $10.2 million proposed fine by the Federal Aviation Administration because of inadequate inspections for fuselage cracks. It also hired an outside investigator.

Large Fine Possible for Southwest Airlines

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday it will seek a record $10.2 million fine against Southwest Airlines for flying 46 jets without doing required fuselage inspections.

The Dallas-based airline, which carries more than 80 percent of the passengers who move through Houston's Hobby Airport, found cracks on six of those planes once the overdue inspections were conducted, the FAA said.