Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai’i) recently called for an investigation into the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) following a report detailing safety warnings regarding Hawai’i helicopters were ignored by agency leadership.
The senators forwarded correspondence to Department of Transportation (DOT) Inspector General Calvin Scovel III, citing whistleblower complaints alleging credible concerns about the safety of helicopter tours in Hawai’i that were not addressed.
The report stems from the new report from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
“For the past year, we have raised concerns that the FAA has ignored warnings about the safety of aircraft operations,” Schatz, a member of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, said. “This report exposed troubling new accounts about how the FAA failed to take action on warnings about the safety of helicopters in Hawai’i – warnings that could have saved lives. With more than a dozen helicopter accidents in Hawai’i over the last five years, it is clear that we need answers from the FAA and stronger protections to keep people safe.”
Hirono said safety is a key mission of the FAA.
“The whistleblower allegations that the Honolulu Flight Standards District Office knowingly failed to meet this mission deserve immediate action and a thorough investigation,” he said. “I strongly support the Senate Commerce Committee’s request for such an investigation by the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation and will continue working with Hawai’i’s Congressional Delegation to determine necessary actions to ensure accountability and safety for Hawai’i’s aviation operators and travelers.”
The correspondence requests the DOT launch an investigation into the specific oversight lapses raised by whistleblowers relating to helicopter operations in the State of Hawai’i, and policies and procedures resulting in increased risk to operators, passengers, and the general public.