Four people were killed on Sunday when a private plane crashed in Virginia. The plane had taken off from Tennessee and was headed northeast towards Long Island when fighter jets were scrambled to intercept it. The wreckage is expected to take days to gather and sort, and the pilot's father has expressed his devastation at the news.
Posts tagged as “FAA”
Five environmental and cultural heritage groups have filed a lawsuit against the FAA for allowing the launch of SpaceX's Starship Super Heavy rocket from its Boca Chica, Texas facility without a comprehensive environmental review. The launch resulted in destruction of the launch pad, spread of particulate matter, and a 3.5-acre fire on state park lands. The lawsuit is being brought by The Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Wild Whoopers, Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Audubon Society. The FAA has yet to comment on the lawsuit.
A Delta Air Lines passenger was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday morning after opening an exit door and activating the emergency slide on a Boeing 737 plane. The plane was bound for Seattle when the incident occurred, and the identity of the passenger has not been released. Delta Air Lines has confirmed the incident and is working with local law enforcement to determine the cause of the incident.
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.
Phillip Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, has withdrawn his nomination due to Republican attacks on his service and experience.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.