WASHINGTON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration's oversight of United Airlines’ UAL.O maintenance practices is hindered by low staffing, ineffective workforce training and hurdles to accessing air carrier data, a federal watchdog said Friday.

The U.S. Transportation Department Office of Inspector General in early 2024 announced the audit of the FAA's oversight of United after the FAA boosted oversight of United following a series of safety incidents.

OIG said Friday the FAA's oversight is "insufficient to oversee safety risks" and said the FAA has at times conducted inspections virtually because of a lack of inspectors instead of postponing them.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)

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