Federal officials said improper inspections and repairs could lead to safety hazards in airplanes worked on since 2002 by a mechanic at the Northumberland County Airport near Elysburg.

The Federal Aviation Administration warning Wednesday followed a guilty plea in U.S. Middle District Court by Brian Daniel Snyder of Selinsgrove.

Snyder, 27, who operated Always Airborne and Smooth Landings at the airport, pleaded guilty to charges that cover the period from November 2002 to January 2008.

They involve 66 airplanes, some of which are owned by Dauphin County residents, an investigator said.

The agency is trying to contact the owners of the planes and said anyone who has not received notification should contact FAA inspector James Pool in Harrisburg at 774-8271, ext. 231, or inspector Richard Thomas at ext. 230.

Snyder pleaded guilty to charges of fraud involving aircraft parts and interstate transportation of stolen property. He admitted stealing a Piper PA-32 single-engine airplane in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., last May, flying it to Elysburg and selling it for $60,000.