As backlash over the crashes of two Boeing MAX aircraft continues, former Flight Safety Foundation Board Chairman Kenneth Hylander and current member Gretch Haskins were appointed to a special committee reviewing the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) aircraft certification process.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao appointed the special committee members. Together, they will investigate the FAA’s certification workplan, process timeline, organization designation authorization, designated engineering representatives authorization, authorized representative certification and general oversight, with a specific focus on the 737 MAX 8 certification process. The six total members of the committee will be tasked with recommending how to improve the process going forward, as well.
“Safety is the number one priority of the department, and this independent outside review will help determine if the FAA aircraft certification process can and should be improved,” Chao said.
Hylander previously served three years as chair of the FSF’s board and currently works as chief safety officer for Amtrak. In addition to her work with the FSF, Haskins is CEO of offshore helicopter safety organization HeliOffshore. They are joined in their new roles by the former president of the Air Line Pilots Association, International, Captain Lee Moak, who will chair the committee; retired U.S. Air Force General Darren McDew; Amy Pritchett, head of the Aerospace Engineering Department at Pennsylvania State University; and J. David Grizzle, chairman of the Board of Republic Airways.