The Biden administration has suffered a setback after the withdrawal of their nominee to run the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Phillip Washington. The White House blamed the withdrawal on "an onslaught of unfounded Republican attacks" and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called Washington “an excellent nominee”. Despite Democratic support, key senators on their side balked at supporting Biden’s pick, and it remains to be seen who will be chosen to fill the role of FAA Administrator.
Posts tagged as “FAA”
Phillip Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, has withdrawn his nomination due to Republican attacks on his service and experience. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation was scheduled to vote on Washington's nomination, but it was cancelled due to lack of support. The White House praised Washington's public service record and qualifications, and is expected to move quickly to find a suitable replacement.
The FAA has announced a new rulemaking process that will require aircraft to have longer duration Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVRs) following a series of near-collisions on US runways. The CVRs will now capture 25 hours of information, instead of the current two hours, in order to prevent future close calls and ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The rulemaking process can take multiple years, and the agency has welcomed intervention from Congress on the matter.
The FAA is holding a safety summit next week to address the 613 runway incursion incidents that have occurred this year. The summit will bring together experts from the aviation industry, government agencies, and other stakeholders to discuss the issue and provide answers and solutions. CNN aviation reporter Pete Muntean believes that there are likely some common underlying factors that can explain the increase in incidents.
Conexon Hyde, a prominent Beltway lawyer and member of the 9/11 Commission, died on Monday after the business jet she was aboard encountered turbulence while flying over New England. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, which includes looking into a “reported trim issue”, and the FBI and FAA are also involved. The cause of the turbulence is still unknown.
Two United Airlines Flights Make Contact at Boston Logan International Airport, No Injuries Reported
Two United Airlines Flights Make Contact at Boston Logan International Airport, No Injuries Reported
Two United Airlines flights at Boston Logan International Airport made contact with each other near the gate area this morning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). No injuries were reported and the cause of the incident is still under investigation. Passengers on board described feeling a sudden jolt when the incident occurred.
On Sunday, a Southwest Airlines flight from Cuba to Florida was forced to turn back for an emergency landing due to a bird strike to an engine and the aircraft's nose. The FAA is now investigating the incident and is working to develop strategies to reduce the risk of bird strikes, such as increasing public awareness and implementing bird-avoidance technology. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Lufthansa Flight 469 experienced severe turbulence while over Tennessee, resulting in minor injuries to some passengers and seven people being transported to local hospitals. The Airbus A330 landed safely at Dulles International Airport in Virginia, and the FAA inspected and cleared the plane for its next flight. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of following safety protocols during flights.