Collins, Higgins, Bipartisan House Contingent Support Flight 3407 Families on 6 Year Crash Anniversary

Letter to Shuster, DeFazio Highlights Importance of Regional Airline Safety in FAA Reauthorization

Buffalo, New York – February 13th, 2015

In conjunction with Thursday’s sixth anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407, operated by regional carrier Colgan Air, a bipartisan House contingent led by Western New York Representatives Chris Collins and Brian Higgins showed their support for the group’s regional airline safety efforts with a letter to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Rep. Bill Shuster and Ranking Member Rep. Peter DeFazio.  The letter targets the committee’s efforts in the upcoming months to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, and calls on the committee to continue its support for the implementation of P.L. 111-216, the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, the landmark aviation safety legislation which was unanimously passed by both Houses in the aftermath of the crash.

“Once again, we are eternally grateful to Congressmen Collins and Higgins, along with Congressman Reed and Congresswoman Slaughter, as they continue to lead the charge for ‘One Level of Safety’ on behalf of the Western New York Community that was devastated by this very preventable tragedy,” stated John Kausner of Clarence Center, New York, who lost his twenty-four year old daughter Elly when Flight 3407 crashed less than a mile from their family’s home.  “While six years may have passed, it is very important that the airlines and their lobbyists, as well as any members who may be entertaining thoughts of introducing provisions that would weaken this law on behalf of the industry, recognize that we are as committed and determined as ever, and we look forward to being visible and active participants as this legislation is drafted in the upcoming weeks and months.”

The letter, which prioritizes the full-scale implementation of a new federal electronic pilot training records database as well as which speaks out against any weakening of new regional airline first officer qualification requirements, drew its support from members in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio region.  Reps. Peter King, Chris Gibson, Elise Stefanik, Eliot Engel, Jerrold Nadler, Paul Tonko, and Steve Israel of the New York delegation, Leonard Lance, Chris Smith, Bill Pascrell, and Albio Sires of the New Jersey delegation, Glenn Thompson and Michael Fitzpatrick of the Pennsylvania delegation, and Mike Turner, Steve Stivers, and Bill Johnson of the Ohio delegation all signed on.  Additionally, Rep. Dan Lipinsky of Illinois, an Aviation Subcommittee member, joined on the letter.

“We cannot say ‘Thank You’ enough to these members for standing alongside of us in the memory of our loved ones,” declared Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a prominent 9/11 widow and activist.  “Obviously the support reflects the region of the country which was most affected by this needless tragedy, but it is so important that Congress realizes that an incident like this could devastate a community anywhere in the United States, from Nebraska to Wyoming to Colorado.  Unfortunately, just as in the case of Flight 3407, all it takes is one regional carrier pushing the limits in how it chooses to conduct its day-to-day operations.  While there has been significant turnover in Congress during the six years subsequent to the crash, we look forward to conducting outreach and raising awareness of this critical issue on both sides of the Hill in the upcoming weeks and months.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

The text of the letter is included below.  Copies of the letter itself, complete with the member’s signatures, are available upon request.

 

February 12, 2015

 

The Honorable Bill Shuster

Chairman

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

2165 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

 

The Honorable Peter DeFazio

Ranking Member

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

2163 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio:

 

As your Committee considers reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), we urge you to continue to support the implementation of the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 (PL.111-216) and resist pressure to undermine the enacted provisions.

The tragic crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 six years ago in Clarence Center, N.Y. spurred Congress to pass the largest overhaul to aviation safety in over forty years. This law encompassed the priorities that had been identified for years by the National Transportation Safety Board but had long been ignored. From pilot fatigue guidelines to new training methods for pilots, this law has helped achieve One Level of Safety among all airlines and gone a long way in preventing future accidents like that of Flight 3407.

Since passage of this legislation, the FAA has successfully implemented many of its provisions – with the most recent being a final rule requiring safety management systems for all Part 121 carriers. While these rules have been marked by the slow pace of rulemaking, they have been successful in encompassing the views of all stakeholders. One of the final remaining measures on the docket for implementation of this 2010 law is the creation of a Pilot Records Database. This database – which could have revealed Flight 3407 captain’s history of failed test flights – is critical in ensuring that airlines have full access to a pilot’s comprehensive record, including licenses, aircraft ratings, check rides, Notices of Disapproval and other proficiency tests for hiring purposes.

As the FAA continues to fulfill the mission set forth by Congress in 2010, we ask that the Committee – during consideration of an upcoming FAA Reauthorization – remain committed to upholding the spirit and letter of this aviation safety law.

Of particular concern are attempts to erode the pilot qualification standards – which mandate that a first officer hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, typically attained through 1,500 hours of flight time. Claims that changes to this rule are necessary to ameliorate a supposed pilot shortage ignore the meager salaries that first officers earn at regional airlines – the true reason these airlines have difficulty attracting qualified applicants. In addition, we ask that the timeline for the Pilots Records Database be accelerated and subject to clear implementation milestones.

We thank you for your continued cooperation and efforts to ensure safe travel aboard commercial airlines – and we look forward to working with you as the Committee considers the latest FAA Reauthorization.

 

Sincerely,

 

Flight 3407 Families, Western NY Delegation to Hold Press Conference Today in DC on FAA Reauthorization

Buffalo, NY – February 3, 2015

The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ will hold a press conference with members of the Western New York congressional delegation, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Room SVC-209-08 of the Capitol Visitors Center as they kick off their advocacy efforts geared towards the upcoming FAA Reauthorization Bill.  The group is making the trip to Washington one week in advance of the 6th anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 outside of Buffalo, New York, which took the lives of all forty-nine on board as well as one man on the ground.

A prepared statement will be available after the 11:30 a.m. Washington press conference and members of the group will be made available for comment.

Group media representative Takla Boujaoude,    takla.3407@gmail.com

WHO:            The ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’

WHAT:          Press Conference on FAA Reauthorization

WHEN:          11:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

WHERE:        Room SVC-209-08, Capitol Visitor Center

 

 

Flight 3407 Families Kick Off FAA Reauthorization Push with Sullenberger, Schumer in Buffalo

Family Group to Conduct Outreach in Washington, DC on Wednesday

Buffalo, New York – February 2, 2015

With the six-year anniversary of the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 fast approaching, Miracle on the Hudson pilot Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are scheduled to be in Buffalo today to join members of the ‘Families of Continental Flight 3407’ in remembering those lost and also calling on congressional transportation leaders to hold the line against industry pressure to weaken regional airline safety measures that were unanimously passed by Congress in the aftermath of the crash.  The family group will then follow this event with a Wednesday trip to Washington where they will continue their advocacy for a true ‘One Level of Safety’ on both sides of Capitol Hill.

“Today’s event should send a strong message to all in Washington and in the commercial airline industry of our unwavering resolve to ensure that every passenger boarding a flight on a regional airline receives a commitment to safety that is on par with the likes of Southwest and Delta, something that our loved ones sadly did not receive,” stated Karen Eckert of Williamsville, New York, who lost her sister Beverly Eckert, a noted 9/11 widow and activist.   “Captain Sullenberger’s presence serves as the strongest possible example that there is no substitute for experience in the cockpit, particularly when it comes to manual flying skills, and of course, Senator Schumer has been absolutely relentless in fighting for our cause every step of the way.  And with the six year anniversary coming up next week, everyone in Washington can expect to see a strong red-clad presence from our group on Wednesday, as we continue to remind the powers-that-be that we are as determined as ever to achieve this elusive ‘One Level of Safety’ between our nation’s regional and mainline carriers.”

Contact:      Takla Boujaoude                       takla.3407@gmail.com         716-907-2425

Today’s event in Buffalo is scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and will be held at the Flight 3407 Memorial Site at 6038 Long Street, where Continental Connection Flight 3407 operated by Colgan Air crashed into the Wielinski family home.  The family group will be in Washington on Wednesday, where they are planning to conduct numerous advocacy meetings as well as a press conference with the Western New York congressional delegation.  Details will be forthcoming.