The National Transportation Safety Board went public this week with a warning of potential catastrophe in America’s skies if Congress passes a change to aviation regulations as part of a pending military spending bill. Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Dec. 10, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy called it a “significant safety setback” — even as lawmakers on Capitol Hill insist the well-being of American fliers is a key priority and that the new provision would actually reduce the risk of harm and increase oversight. The conflict between the NTSB and Congress was sparked by language in the National Defense Authorization Act that, in Homebody’s view, would undo a key reform implemented in the wake of a mid-air collision in January between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet just outside Washington, D.C.
00:00So, the NTSB vehemently opposes Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.
00:11This section, to the lay reader, is drafted to seemingly enhance safety.
00:18I want to be very clear that it does not in any way enhance safety.
00:26In fact, it reverses safety changes made after the midair collision, after issuance of our urgent safety recommendations,
00:39after the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, rightfully implemented our urgent safety recommendations,
00:48and essentially gives the military unfettered access to the crowded and complex D.C. airspace.
00:57This is a significant, significant safety setback.
01:03It represents an unacceptable risk to the flying public, to commercial and military aircraft crews, and to the residents in the region.
01:14It's also an unthinkable dismissal of our investigation and of 67 families, 67 families who lost loved ones in a tragedy that was entirely preventable.
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