Following last week's House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing in which two whistle blowers came forward to tell of FAA-Southwest Airlines coziness impeding airline safety compliance oversight, the Senate is convening its own hearing this week:
Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcommittee Aviation Safety Oversight Hearing: Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security
Thursday, April 10, 2008
10:00 AM
SR - 253
Although the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing its safest period in history there have been a series of high-profile events that have raised concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of safety in the National Airspace System (NAS). The FAA recently proposed fining Southwest Airlines $10.2 million for operating over 40 aircraft that had not received all required safety inspections. Subsequent FAA audits of maintenance records have resulted in a number of other air carriers grounding planes while they ensure their aircraft comply with safety regulations.
In addition, there is continuing Congressional interest in other key safety issues, including runway incursions, operational errors and the FAA’s oversight of maintenance operations. This hearing will examine these safety issues, and the FAA’s implementation of the Air Transportation Oversight System (ATOS), the new systematic approach the agency has implemented to address safety oversight.
In educational interest, article(s) quoted from extensively.
A few details from the Wall Street Journal's top notch Andy Pasztor:
Southwest's violations have sparked investigations by committees in both the House and the Senate, with preliminary indications that a number of other U.S. airlines in recent years have experienced similar safety lapses. Testifying Thursday before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, witnesses, including the Department of Transportation's inspector general and the union that represents FAA safety inspectors, gave examples of what they contend were violations of maintenance, training or operational rules at a number of carriers.
A Senate aviation safety and security subcommittee is planning to delve into some of the same issues in a coming hearing. Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, the panel's chairman, has said that the Southwest revelations "have thrown a cloud over" the agency, prompting lawmakers to pursue "a comprehensive review of the FAA's safety operations" and likely resulting in "additional steps to make sure our aviation system remains the safest in the world."
Witnesses:
Panel 1
Mr. Hank Krakowski, Chief Operating Officer, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration
The Honorable Calvin L. Scovel III, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Transportation
Mr. Basil Barimo, Vice President of Operations and Safety, Air Transport Association
The Honorable Steven R. Chealander, Member, National Transportaion Safety Board
Nicholas Sabatini, Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration
Mr. Tom Brantley, President, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists
Should make for another interesting day on Capitol Hill.
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can I cross post this on my site?
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