NTSB Slams Defense Bill Provision Threatening Aviation Safety Gains

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has expressed strong opposition to a provision in the defense authorization bill that would undermine aviation safety improvements made after a deadly mid-air collision in January near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The board's chairwoman, Jennifer Homendy, voiced her concerns in a rebuke of the bill, warning that it would compromise the safety of air travel. Homendy described the provision as a "safety whitewash," stating that it would undo the progress made in improving aviation safety following the January collision, which killed 67 people. "If it sounds like I'm mad, I am mad. This is shameful," she told reporters. The NTSB "vehemently" opposes the provision, which would exempt military aircraft from certain safety regulations. The collision between a military Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet on January 9 near Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport was one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent U.S. history. The NTSB investigated the crash and recommended several safety improvements, including the implementation of a system to prevent mid-air collisions. The defense authorization bill, which is currently before Congress, would roll back some of these safety improvements, exempting military aircraft from certain regulations. This move has been met with criticism from the NTSB and other safety advocates, who argue that it would compromise the safety of air travel. Homendy emphasized that the NTSB's opposition to the provision is not just about the safety of military aircraft, but also about the safety of the general public. "We're not just talking about military safety, we're talking about the safety of the flying public," she said. "We're talking about the safety of people who are going to be on those planes, who are going to be on those helicopters." The defense authorization bill is a critical piece of legislation that sets policy for the U.S. military. The provision in question has been included in the bill to address concerns about the cost and feasibility of implementing the safety improvements recommended by the NTSB. The NTSB's opposition to the provision has sparked a debate about the balance between military readiness and aviation safety. Some lawmakers have argued that the provision is necessary to ensure the military's ability to operate effectively, while others have argued that it would compromise the safety of air travel. The current status of the defense authorization bill is unclear, as it is still being debated in Congress. However, the NTSB's opposition to the provision is likely to be a contentious issue in the coming weeks.