TSA opens probe into alleged American Eagle security violations

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Transportation Security Administration said Thursday it was opening an inquiry into "multiple security violations" by American Eagle at Chicago's O'Hare airport, just a day after the airline complained a TSA inspector there potentially jeopardized the safety of their aircraft by grabbing a probe on the plane's fuselage to hoist himself aboard.

The TSA said in a statement it has "consistently found problems" at O'Hare regarding American Eagle, a regional carrier for American Airlines. This week's inspection "... was a follow-up to earlier inspections in which the same vulnerability existed," the TSA said. The inquiry could result in fines totaling $175,000, the agency added.

At issue is American Eagle's practice of leaving unsecured aircraft parked too close to jetways during night hours, when the planes are out of service, a TSA official told CNN. Airlines are allowed to park planes with unsecured doors, provided they are away from jetways so they are inaccessible, the official said.