Charleston, WVRelatives of those who died in the Buffalo plane crash are urging lawmakers to develop stronger safety laws to prevent future airplane crashes. Fifty people died when Continental Connection flight 3407 went down near Buffalo, New York on February 12, 2009.
Family members of the plane crash victims formed a group called Families of Flight 3407. The group has made trips to Washington, DC to meet with President Obama in the hopes of developing tougher safety rules for the aviation industry. Families of Flight 3407 say Senator Jay Rockefeller, chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, has the influence to get tougher safety measures passed.
Although he did not attend a news conference involving 13 relatives of victims of the Continental Connection plane crash, Rockefeller did send a representative to the conference. At the news conference victims' relatives urged Rockefeller to push for passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill that addresses the group's safety concerns.
According to the Charleston Gazette on 7/7/10, the proposed bill would reduce safety gaps between major airlines and regional carriers such as Colgan Air, which operated Flight 3407. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that pilot error was responsible for the crash and has admitted there are weaknesses in safety regulations for regional airlines.
Families of Flight 3407 are also lobbying for tougher regulations to prevent pilot fatigue and stricter training qualifications for commercial pilots. The group said it is concerned that if the bill is not passed before Congress recesses in August, fall midterm elections could undo all progress made on the bill.
"I am proud to say that when we pass this bill, it will be the most significant aviation legislation in a generation—and that is great news," Rockefeller said, adding that he shares the families' frustrations.
Jeff Skiles, co-pilot of the US Airways plane that landed safely on the Hudson River in 2009, said during the news conference that major airlines outsource to regional carriers with increasing frequency. Those regional carriers often hire younger pilots with less experience, according to Skiles.
Continental Flight 3407 crashed in 2009 just five miles from the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. Transcripts from the plane revealed that flight crew were involved in personal discussion as the plane approached the airport, a violation of safety regulations. Both pilots noted that there was excessive icing on the plane. The NTSB investigation found that the pilot reacted incorrectly to a stick shaker alert, which ultimately resulted in the crash that killed all 49 people on board and one person on the ground.
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