Airline grounds jets after inspector grabs sensitive equipment

From CNN's Mike Ahlers

(CNN) - American Airlines grounded nine of its American Eagle jets, delaying about 40 flights, after it learned that a TSA inspector had boarded at least one plane by grabbing hold of a sensitive instrument used to regulate temperature, the airline said Wednesday.

American Eagle spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said the airline learned that the inspector had grabbed hold of a TAT probe - a rod on the outside of the aircraft - as he attempted to board the plane to inspect it.

The inspector's records show he had inspected nine aircraft, she said. The airline, fearing that the inspector may have damaged the planes, took all nine out of service at Chicago's O'Hare airport Tuesday morning, she said.