In light of myriad problems with the Boeing 737 MAX throughout 2019, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced legislation to improve aviation safety in the United States.
Wicker, the chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, introduced the Aircraft Safety Improvement Act of 2020 that would codify recommendations that stemmed from reviews and investigations into 737 MAX crashes.
The legislation mandates adopting a Safety Management System for manufacturers, require the Federal Aviation Administration to review manufacturer assumptions regarding pilot reaction time, and ensure that flight testing includes a representative sample of pilots from around the world. According to Wicker, the bill would also reform the FAA’s certification process to prevent any lapses in safety protocol brought about by undue pressure or “regulatory coziness.”
“After reviewing the evidence from incident reports, soliciting recommendations from aviation experts, speaking to witnesses and stakeholders, and holding a series of hearings on aviation safety, I am introducing a bill that would take important steps to improve passenger aircraft regulations and safety,” Wicker said.
According to Wicker, the Aircraft Safety Improvement Act would impact manufacturers by mandating SMS for large aircraft and engine manufacturers to encourage a systematic approach to safety policy, assurance, risk management, and promotion. The bill would also require the development of best practices that all manufacturers would incorporate to make sure reports of undue pressure or regulatory coziness are addressed.
On the government side, the bill would require the FAA to review and reassess assumptions related to “human factors” when certifying aircraft; require the FAA to conduct more research into human factors with respect to the design and certification of aircraft, and require the FAA to review its capability to understand the safety implications of new or innovative technologies, materials, and procedures that designers and manufacturers of passenger aircraft may adopt or introduce.
The bill would also require flight testing to be performed by international and domestic pilots.
The Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the FAA’s oversight of its certification process on June 17. FAA Administrator Steve Dickson will testify about issues associated with the Boeing 737 MAX following international accidents since 2018.