In Light of Recent Plane Crash, Schumer Demands FAA Expedite Approval of New Safety Standards for Low Flying Planes

IN LIGHT OF RECENT PLANE CRASH, SCHUMER DEMANDS FAA EXPEDITE APPROVAL OF NEW SAFETY STANDARDS FOR LOW FLYING PLANES

Air Sightseeing Operations Both Large and Small Need Updated Set of Regulations to Avert Tragedies like Coney Island

2003 Rule Put Forth by FAA Put Unfeasible Restrictions on Small Operators, Senator Urges Expeditious Review of Rule Change

On the heels of the fatal crash last week of a small plane on Coney Island, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the Federal Aviation Administration to enhance safety regulations for commercial air tours to avert further tragedy. Schumer asked the FAA to offer a workable rule that accounts for the diversity of the commercial air tour industry. The Senator also asked the FAA to make the change as quickly as possible.

"Saturday's tragedy highlights the importance of the FAA coming forth with a rule that actually improves the safety standards for these small tour operators without being so stringent that they are forced out of business," Schumer said.

Last week, four people were killed when a Cessna 172 crashed while on a sight seeing tour over Coney Island, NY. Over the last several years, there have been nearly 100 fatal accidents involving commercial air tours nationwide.

"Clearly, this is a problem that requires the FAA's immediate attention," Schumer said.

The FAA first proposed the rule October 22, 2003, titled National Air Tour Safety Standards, which expanded nationwide rules initially designed for the islands of Hawaii, and leaves out necessary exemptions for smaller air tour operators that do business in urban areas. Specifically, it required small air tour operators to be certified under regulations designed for larger charter operators, subjecting many of these businesses to restrictions not feasible on their type of aircraft.

The rule would have forced small carriers to either transform their operations or go out of business. Of the roughly 1,700 current Part 91 operators impacted by the proposed rules, the FAA admits that at least 700 are likely to close as a result of the new restrictions, if imposed without alteration or exemption.

Almost a decade ago, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a series of safety recommendations designed to both prevent future accidents and increase the likelihood of passenger survival in the event of a crash. Though the FAA has made some progress toward enacting these reforms, such as establishing altitude rules over certain locations and national parks, it is clear that many of these recommendations have not been fully enacted and our nation remains without comprehensive safety regulations protecting passengers on small commercial air tours.

In his letter to FAA Administrator Blakey, Schumer wrote, "I think ten years is too long to wait for action and hope the FAA will complete this review as soon as possible."

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2005/PR41688.FAA%20Low%20Planes.052605.html