As Boeing rushes to fix fatal flaws in its 737 MAX aircraft, U.S. Sens. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Rick Larsen (D-WA) have written to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting another independent review corrective measures proposed.
DeFazio, chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Larsen, chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation, want such an appointment to be separate from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safety Oversight and Certification Advisory Committee, and the Special Committee therein set to review FAA certification processes. They said such additional layers of oversight, from unconnected experts, will help guarantee a methodical, resilient method review that will gain the best results.
“As the investigations proceed, it is important that there be a clear understanding of the cause or causes of the two accidents involving the 737 MAX and that the public is confident that all identified problems will be completely resolved,” the senators wrote. “In order to provide this level of assurance, we urge you to engage an independent, third-party review composed of individuals with the technical skills and expertise to objectively advise on any measures being considered requiring the safety certification of new and novel technology, as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.”
The two separate Boeing incidents that led to this state of affairs caused the deaths of 346 people, including eight U.S. citizens. As such, the senators desire the new body to review proposed technical modifications as well as any new training requirements to be established for pilots.