The State of Airline Safety: Federal Oversight of Commercial Aviation

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation and Space, will convene a hearing titled, “The State of Airline Safety: Federal Oversight of Commercial Aviation,” at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. In light of the recent tragedy in Ethiopia and the subsequent grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, this hearing will examine challenges to the state of commercial aviation safety, including any specific concerns highlighted by recent accidents. The committee will hear from a panel of government witnesses on ways to improve the safety of the commercial air transportation system. The committee intends to hold a second hearing on aviation safety in the near future to hear from industry stakeholders that would include Boeing, other aviation manufacturers, airline pilots, and other stakeholders.

Witnesses:

  • The Honorable Robert Sumwalt, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board
  • The Honorable Calvin Scovel, Inspector General, Department of Transportation
  • Mr. Daniel Elwell, Acting Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration  

*Witness list subject to change

Hearing Details: 

Wednesday, March 27, 2019
3:00 p.m.
Subcommittee on Aviation and Space

This hearing will take place in the Hart Senate Office Building 216. Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

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Minority Statement

  • Ranking Member Maria Cantwell

Testimony

  • The Honorable Robert Sumwalt

    Chairman
    National Transportation Safety Board
    Download Testimony (303.58 KB)
  • The Honorable Calvin Scovel

    Inspector General
    Department of Transportation
    Download Testimony (987.20 KB)
  • Mr. Daniel Elwell

    Acting Administrator
    Federal Aviation Administration
    Download Testimony (112.72 KB)