Thursday
Apr032008
Preventing catastrophe: Are airplane safety regulations doing enough?
Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 3:55PM
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Oversight and Investigations held a hearing examining accusations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and particularly its higher ranking officials, knowingly allowed airplanes that did not pass required safety regulations to take to the air. Many other people and issues pertaining to such allegations were investigated as well.
Panel members included “whistle blowers” (FAA employees who reported safety violations) such as former aviation safety inspectors Bobby Boutris and Douglas Peters, as well as Michael Mills, Assistant Manager of the Dallas Fort Wroth Flight Standards District Office. The “whistle blowers” were each dismissed from their positions by administrators they reported, and claimed that their firings were a result of their filings.
Southwest Airlines (SWA) Supervisory Principal Maintenance Inspector (SPMI) Douglas Gawadzinsk’s alleged misconduct was discussed most. His close relationship with SWA as a high ranking member of the FAA drew conflict of interest accusations from both the Committee and the panel. Consistently cited for knowingly overlooking plane safety laws, Gawadzinski was not questioned during the hearing. Gawadzinski was described by Mills as a man with, “an unusually outsized ego,” allegedly intimidating employees who opposed him, and reported him for his lax safety ideals. Boutris claimed he disregarded serious safety issues, including cracks found in aircraft fuselages.
The Committee also discussed how to end the threats that endanger aircraft passengers. Recruiting a greater number of well trained, young employees to oversee airplane safety in the future, as well as holding high ranking members of the FAA more accountable for ensuring each plane passes safety regulations were mentioned. To prevent “cozy” relationships between FAA employees and specific airline companies, the Committee recommended periodically assigning FAA bosses to different airports and departments.
Panel members included “whistle blowers” (FAA employees who reported safety violations) such as former aviation safety inspectors Bobby Boutris and Douglas Peters, as well as Michael Mills, Assistant Manager of the Dallas Fort Wroth Flight Standards District Office. The “whistle blowers” were each dismissed from their positions by administrators they reported, and claimed that their firings were a result of their filings.
Southwest Airlines (SWA) Supervisory Principal Maintenance Inspector (SPMI) Douglas Gawadzinsk’s alleged misconduct was discussed most. His close relationship with SWA as a high ranking member of the FAA drew conflict of interest accusations from both the Committee and the panel. Consistently cited for knowingly overlooking plane safety laws, Gawadzinski was not questioned during the hearing. Gawadzinski was described by Mills as a man with, “an unusually outsized ego,” allegedly intimidating employees who opposed him, and reported him for his lax safety ideals. Boutris claimed he disregarded serious safety issues, including cracks found in aircraft fuselages.
The Committee also discussed how to end the threats that endanger aircraft passengers. Recruiting a greater number of well trained, young employees to oversee airplane safety in the future, as well as holding high ranking members of the FAA more accountable for ensuring each plane passes safety regulations were mentioned. To prevent “cozy” relationships between FAA employees and specific airline companies, the Committee recommended periodically assigning FAA bosses to different airports and departments.
Homeland Security Secretary Blasts Arizona's New Immigration Law
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, who served as Arizona's governor prior to joining the Obama administration, voiced her concern Monday over a controversial immigration bill passed in her former home state and recently signed into law.
"That ... is a misguided law," Napolitano told ABC News.
On Friday, President Barack Obama expressed a similar sentiment.
"The recent efforts in Arizona ... threaten to undermine basic notions of fairness we cherish as Americans as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keep us safe," Obama said during a naturalization ceremony for immigrants serving in the U.S. military.
Critics charge that the legislation, which allows police officers to request proof of citizenship if an individual raises suspicions over his status in the country, could lead to a wave of civil rights violations.
During a separate appearance Monday before the Aero Club of Washington, a D.C. based aviation organization, Napolitano said that the administration will use the 90 days before the law goes into place to evaluate the bill in depth and possibly take steps to counter the legislation.
"The President has directed the Justice Department to look into what challenges should be made," said Napolitano.