X-ray malfunction holds up 3 flights

Three Hawaiian Airlines flights were delayed Tuesday, and federal security workers had to rely on dogs and other methods to screen checked baggage after a Transportation Security Administration X-ray machine broke down — the fourth such device to malfunction in that section of the airport.

It was the third time in less than a month that Hawaiian Airlines was had no screening machines for its mainland and international flights.

Besides the dogs, bags were being searched by hand and screened at X-ray machines used by other airlines, TSA said.

Hawaiian Airlines spokesman Keoni Wagner said flights to San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento, Calif., were each delayed for less than 10 minutes.

"At this point we’ve been able to mitigate the problem with extra elbow grease and manpower," Wagner said. "We’re working hard to minimize the inconvenience."

Wagner said TSA had three of the four X-ray machines operating before one broke on July 22, another on Aug. 25 and the last on Sept. 7.

On Sept. 7 TSA was forced to turn to screening bags with sniffing dogs, delaying for an hour and 25 minutes a Seattle/Tacoma flight whose passengers included the University of Hawaii football team.

The machine was fixed but broke again Friday and then Tuesday — each time forcing manual checks, the airlines said.

Wagner said the carrier has been told two X-ray machines would be arriving today.

Machines at Hawaiian’s interisland baggage screening area also have problems. Wagner said only one of the three X-ray machines there is working.

TSA spokesman Nico Melendez said the TSA is working aggressively to bring in replacement machines and parts and expects to correct the problem "within the coming days."

Melendez described the breakdowns in the last few weeks as "intermittent technical malfunctions" and a rare occurrence.

"Sometimes it happens with technology," he said.

Melendez said a breakdown in screening machines is not expected to affect the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Honolulu on Nov. 12-13, because such officials don’t fly on regular airlines.