[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5311 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5311
To improve the safety of the air supply on aircraft, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 6, 2026
Mr. Blumenthal (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Markey) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the safety of the air supply on aircraft, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Cabin Air Safety Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SAFETY OF THE AIR SUPPLY ON AIRCRAFT.
(a) In General.--Subpart III of part A of subtitle VII of title 49,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new
chapter:
``CHAPTER 454--CABIN AIR QUALITY AND SAFETY
``Sec. 45401. Definitions
``In this chapter:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
``(2) Engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fume event.--
The term `engine oil or hydraulic smoke or fume event' means an
event in which there is an atypical noticeable presence of
suspected engine oil or hydraulic fluid fumes or air
contaminants in the cabin, including, but not limited to, a
smoke event.
``Sec. 45402. Training to respond to engine oil or hydraulic fluid
smoke or fume events on board commercial aircraft
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Administrator shall promulgate a notice
of proposed rulemaking requiring flight attendants, pilots, aircraft
mechanics, and airport first responders and emergency response teams to
receive training, not less frequently than annually, on how to respond
to engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fume events on board aircraft
operating under part 121 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations.
``(b) Requirements.--The training required by subsection (a) shall
include the dissemination of educational and training materials,
including manual pages and checklists, with respect to the following:
``(1) Sources and types of smoke and fumes on board
aircraft.
``(2) Odor, location, and phase of flight descriptors to
allow an individual to recognize the suspected presence of
engine oil and hydraulic fluid fumes and to differentiate them
from other types of fumes, such as those relating to engine
exhaust, ground service vehicle exhaust, fuel, de-icing fluid,
electrical failures, and ozone.
``(3) The potential for acute or chronic impairment to an
individual relating to engine oil or hydraulic fluid fumes, and
the types of aviation engine oil, hydraulic fluid, or other
additives that may induce such impairment.
``(4) Procedures for recognizing and responding to engine
oil or hydraulic fluid smoke and fumes on board aircraft.
``(5) An overview of the system for reporting events of
engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fumes on board aircraft
established under section 45403(a).
``(6) Requirements relating to reporting events of engine
oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fumes on board aircraft to the
Administrator under sections 45403 and 45405(b).
``Sec. 45403. Reporting system for fume or smoke events on board
commercial aircraft
``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Administrator
shall develop a standardized submission system for air carrier
employees to voluntarily report fume or smoke events on board
passenger-carrying aircraft operating under part 121 of title 14, Code
of Federal Regulations.
``(b) Collected Information.--In developing the system under
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the system includes
a method for submitting information about a fume or smoke event that
allows for the collection of the following information, if applicable:
``(1) Identification of the flight number, type, and
registration of the aircraft.
``(2) The date of the reported fume or smoke event on board
the aircraft.
``(3) Description of fumes or smoke in the aircraft,
including the nature, intensity, and visual consistency or
smell (if any).
``(4) The location of the fumes or smoke in the aircraft.
``(5) The source (if discernible) of the fumes or smoke in
the aircraft.
``(6) The phase of flight during which fumes or smoke first
became present.
``(7) The duration of the fume or smoke event.
``(8) Any required onboard medical attention for passengers
or crew members.
``(9) Any additional factors as determined appropriate by
the Administrator or crew member submitting a report.
``(c) Guidelines for Submission.--The Administrator shall issue
guidelines on how to submit the information described in subsection
(b).
``(d) Confirmation of Submission.--Upon submitting the information
described in subsection (b), the submitting party shall receive a
duplicate record of the submission and confirmation of receipt.
``(e) Use of Information.--The Administrator--
``(1) may not publicly publish any--
``(A) information specific to a fume or smoke event
that is submitted pursuant to this section; and
``(B) information that may be used to identify the
party submitting such information;
``(2) may only publicly publish information submitted
pursuant to this section that has been aggregated if--
``(A) such information has been validated; and
``(B) the availability of such information would
improve aviation safety;
``(3) shall maintain a database of such information;
``(4) at the request of an air carrier, shall provide to
such air carrier any information submitted pursuant to this
section that is relevant to such air carrier, except any
information that may be used to identify the party submitting
such information;
``(5) may not, without validation, assume that information
submitted pursuant to this section is accurate for the purposes
of initiating rulemaking or taking an enforcement action;
``(6) may use information submitted pursuant to this
section to inform the oversight of the safety management system
of an air carrier; and
``(7) may use information submitted pursuant to this
section for the purpose of performing a study or supporting a
study sponsored by the Administrator.
``Sec. 45404. Investigations
``(a) In General.--If a report is submitted to the Administrator
through the system for reporting engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or
fume events on board aircraft established under section 45403(a), the
Administrator--
``(1) subject to paragraph (2), shall have the authority
to, at the Administrator's discretion, initiate an
investigation described in subsection (b); and
``(2) in the case where such report indicates that 1 or
more crew members or passengers had symptoms related to the
smoke or fume event that required medical attention beyond
first aid, shall initiate an investigation described in
subsection (b) not less than 7 days after the date of the
submission of such report.
``(b) Requirements for Investigations.--An investigation described
in this subsection shall include the following:
``(1) Gathering factual and standardized information from
all flight attendants, pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport
first responders, emergency response teams, and medical doctors
involved in the event.
``(2) Gathering any reports submitted under section 45403
with respect to the event.
``(3) Gathering technical findings on any replaced, worn,
missing, failed, or improperly serviced components that may
have resulted in the event.
``(4) Identifying the cause of the event, if possible.
``(5) Other elements determined appropriate by the
Administrator.
``(c) Participation of Air Carriers and Collective Bargaining
Representatives.--In conducting an investigation under this section,
the Federal Aviation Administration shall--
``(1) consult with the air carrier involved;
``(2) work in conjunction with the technical
representatives of the air carrier; and
``(3) seek the participation of the collective bargaining
representative of employees of the air carrier.
``Sec. 45405. Air quality monitoring equipment
``(a) Requirement To Include on Aircraft.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of the enactment of this section, any domestic or
foreign air carrier operating in the United States shall be required
to--
``(1) install and operate onboard detectors and other air
quality monitoring equipment that--
``(A) are situated in the air supply system to
enable pilots and aircraft mechanics to identify the
location of the source or sources of air supply
contamination, including carbon monoxide, in real time;
``(B) continuously monitor any relevant marker
compound consistent with the presence of engine oil and
hydraulic fluid fumes or smoke in the bleed air supply;
``(C) provide flight deck notification of the
source and type of contamination to support pilot
decision-making and isolation procedures, where
necessary;
``(D) continuously monitor any relevant marker
compound consistent with de-ice or anti-ice fluid fume
concentration in the aircraft cabin or air supply
system; and
``(E) are capable of operating continuously when
the aircraft is powered on, including inflight and on
the ground; and
``(2) have in place procedures to train pilots to initiate
standardized communication and source isolation protocols, as
soon as appropriate, with flight attendants and air traffic
controllers (as needed), and to apply their professional
judgement based on onboard conditions, all in response to air
quality that is dangerous to human health.
``(b) Authority of the Administrator.--In addition to the
requirements under subsection (a), the Administrator may promulgate
regulations to require specific maintenance measures intended to
prevent or mitigate air supply system contamination, as the
Administrator determines is necessary to protect the health and safety
of air carrier crew members and passengers, in consultation with--
``(1) the Director of the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention;
``(2) the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health; and
``(3) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency.
``(c) Inclusion of Information Relating to Air Quality Monitoring
Equipment in Aircraft Manuals.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall finalize such
actions as are necessary, including promulgating regulations, to
require an aircraft manufacturer to include procedures for responding
to indications from air quality monitoring equipment required under
subsection (a) during normal and non-normal operations in the flight
operator's manual for each such aircraft produced by the manufacturer.
``(d) Continuing Research To Develop Sensors and Techniques To
Prevent Air Supply Contamination.--The Administrator shall continue to
research, study, and identify emerging technologies suitable for
providing reliable notification of cabin air contamination from an
aircraft bleed air system, including through investigation and research
into sensors, filters, and maintenance measures to prevent air supply
system contamination with engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fumes.
``(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be
construed to imply that an investigation under section 45404 is not
necessary or that crew members and passengers have not been exposed to
fumes or smoke if the alarm from any air quality monitoring equipment
installed on an aircraft is not activated.
``Sec. 45406. Minimum equipment list for bleed air system
``Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
section, the Administrator shall finalize such actions as are
necessary, including promulgating regulations, to require any transport
category aircraft manufacturer to include the air quality monitoring
equipment required under section 45405 in the master minimum equipment
list for aircraft with a bleed air system certified under section 44704
or for which certification was delegated under section 44702(d).
``Sec. 45407. Authorization of appropriations
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such
sums as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.
``Sec. 45408. Exclusion of rotorcraft
``The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to rotorcraft.''.
(b) Revisions to the Existing Reporting System for Fume or Smoke
Events Onboard Commercial Aircraft.--
(1) In general.--Section 45403 of title 49, United States
Code (as added by section (a)), is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``fume or
smoke events'' and inserting ``engine oil or hydraulic
fluid smoke or fume events'';
(B) in subsection (a), by striking ``for air
carrier employees to voluntarily report fume or smoke
events on board passenger-carrying aircraft'' and
inserting ``for pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft
mechanics to report engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke
or fume events on board aircraft'';
(C) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``a fume or smoke event'' and
inserting ``an engine oil or hydraulic fluid
smoke or fume event'';
(ii) in each of paragraphs (2) and (7), by
striking ``fume or smoke event'' and inserting
``engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or fume
event'';
(iii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``and
time'' after ``date'';
(iv) in each of paragraphs (3), (4), (5),
and (6), by striking ``fumes or smoke'' and
inserting ``engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke
or fumes'';
(v) by amending paragraph (8) to read as
follows:
``(8) Any health complaints or required medical attention
for passengers or crew members arising from the engine oil or
hydraulic fluid fume or smoke event.'';
(vi) by redesignating paragraph (9) as
paragraph (15); and
(vii) by inserting after paragraph (8) the
following new paragraphs:
``(9) A description of symptoms reported by crew members
and passengers.
``(10) The manufacturer, type, serial number, and age of
the engine or auxiliary power unit.
``(11) Information regarding any disruption to the
operation of the flight or subsequent flights.
``(12) Information about relevant maintenance work
conducted on the aircraft prior to and following the incident.
``(13) Relevant air monitoring data collected during the
flight.
``(14) The locations and types of air monitoring sensors or
cabin fume filters in use on the aircraft.'';
(D) in subsection (e)--
(i) by striking paragraph (1) and
redesignating paragraphs (2) through (7) as
paragraphs (1) through (6), respectively; and
(ii) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated,
by inserting ``and allow pilots, flight
attendants, aircraft mechanics, and their
collective bargaining representative to search
such a database for purposes of reviewing and
monitoring incidents and assisting with
investigations conducted under section 45404''
before the semicolon at the end; and
(E) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Public Availability of Engine Oil or Hydraulic Fluid Smoke
and Fume Event Information.--''.
``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than quarterly and
subject to paragraph (2), the Administrator shall compile, and
make available to the public, statistics regarding the
information reported to the Administrator under the system
under this section.
``(2) Website.--The Administrator shall develop a publicly
available internet website that includes the aggregate data
reported under such system and a searchable database for the
events reported to the Administrator under such system that
includes the following variables for each event:
``(A) Date.
``(B) Tail number.
``(C) Aircraft type.
``(D) Air carrier.
``(E) Phase of flight.
``(F) Location of fumes or smoke in the aircraft.
``(G) Description of the fumes or smoke, including
relation to air supply vents and the nature and
intensity of the odor.
``(H) Engine or auxiliary power unit type.
``(I) Engine oil or hydraulic fluid type, including
product name.
``(J) De-identified narrative.
``(K) Relevant maintenance information.
``(L) Such other criteria as the Administrator
considers appropriate.
``(3) Redaction.--Before making either individual event
information or aggregate data available to the public under
paragraph (1) or (2), the Administrator shall redact any
personally identifiable information.
``(4) Symptom information.--Information about symptoms or
other health data shall only be shared as aggregated data.''.
(2) Repeal of duplicate provision.--Subsections (b) and (d)
of section 362(b) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (49
U.S.C. 40101 note) is repealed.
(3) Conforming amendment.--Section 362(c)(2)(B) of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2024 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) is amended
by inserting ``, including as such system is amended by the
provisions of the Cabin Air Safety Act of 2026'' before the
period at the end.
(4) Application.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration shall revise the system described in
section 45403 of title 49, United States Code (as added by
section (a)), to comply with the amendments made by paragraph
(1), including the implementation of subsection (f) of such
section 45403.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Table of contents.--The table of contents of subpart
III of part A of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 453
the following:
``Chapter 454--Cabin Air Quality and Safety
``45401. Definitions.
``45402. Training to respond to engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or
fume events on board commercial aircraft.
``45403. Reporting system for engine oil or hydraulic fluid smoke or
fume events on board commercial aircraft.
``45404. Investigations.
``45405. Air quality monitoring equipment.
``45406. Minimum equipment list for bleed air system.
``45407. Authorization of appropriations.
``45408. Exclusion of rotorcraft.''.
(2) Conforming repeal.--Section 326 of the FAA
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note) and the item
relating to that section in the table of contents under section
1(b) of that Act are repealed.
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