Say The FAA Needs To Reform The Way It Certifies Aircraft

The Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) have each released statements regarding a newly-released report on the certification process for the Boeing 737 MAX.

“Our Committee’s investigation has already revealed multiple junctures at which the current certification process failed, and as I’ve made clear, I intend to propose legislative fixes to ensure safety always comes first,” said DeFazio (pictured, left). “I appreciate the special committee’s review of the certification process and I will take the recommendations into account as Congress considers changes. But I want to be very clear: 346 people died because the system failed. Despite the wishes of industry, it would be the height of irresponsibility to leave the ODA system as is and just hope for the best the next time. Not addressing the failures head-on would be a grave mistake and that will not happen on my watch.”

“While I welcome the Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee’s report and recommendations, especially on workforce development and the integration of human factors, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s investigation into the design, development and certification of the 737 MAX is far from over,” said Larsen (pictured, right). “When you add the SOCAC report to the reports and recommendations from the Lion Air investigation, NTSB, JATR and the Boeing Aerospace Safety Committee, one thing is abundantly clear: the method by which the FAA certifies aircraft is itself in need of repair. As I said in last month’s 737 MAX hearing, the FAA must fix its credibility problem. The 346 victims of the two tragic crashes and their families rightfully expect Congress to act. As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I remain committed to the thorough oversight of the 737 MAX certification process and ensuring the aircraft’s return to service occurs only when (the) FAA says it is safe to do so.”

The Committee has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, including safety, infrastructure, labor, and international issues. Following two accidents overseas involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that killed 346 people and led to the worldwide grounding of the aircraft, the Committee launched an investigation to ensure accountability, transparency in the certification process, and most importantly the safety of the traveling public.

(Source: House Transportation Committee news release)

FMI: transportation.house.gov/committee-activity/boeing-737-max-investigation