[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5463-S5464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         BUFFALO AIRLINE CRASH

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, yesterday we heard on the radio and in 
news accounts of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation 
of the crash that occurred in Buffalo, NY, of a commuter airline. I 
chair the Aviation Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee; Senator 
Rockefeller is chairman of the Commerce Committee. I visited with him 
early this morning on this subject.
  I was stunned yesterday to read and hear the results of the National 
Transportation Safety Board investigation. Last evening, I met with the 
families of some of those who lost their lives in that commuter airline 
crash.
  I want to make a point that the things we now have learned about that 
particular flight are very disturbing--the question of crew rest, the 
question of training, of safety issues. I am not here to suggest that 
when someone gets on an airplane today or tomorrow or anytime, they 
should worry about who is in the cockpit, but I do suggest this: In 
this case, what we have now learned is that one of the people in the 
cockpit traveled all night because the duty station was in New York and 
the person lived on the west coast. That person traveled all night from 
the west coast, stopping in Memphis, then on to New York, and then went 
on a flight. Well, one wonders about having an all-night flight. Many 
of us have it. I have been on red-eye flights from the West many times. 
But for a pilot in the cockpit to live on the west coast, fly to New 
York, and take an all-night flight, poses real questions for me in 
terms of crew rest.
  The voices in the cockpit suggest that one of the people in the 
cockpit said that person had no experience with icing. Well, I have had 
a lot of experience with icing, and it is unfathomable to me that 
someone in the cockpit of a commuter airline would have no experience 
with icing if they are flying in the Northeast at a time of the year 
when icing would be present.
  It appears from what we know that the person in charge of the cockpit 
on that airplane had 3 months of experience with that type of airplane. 
The question is not just experience but how much experience do you have 
in the cockpit of that type of equipment.
  The copilot on that flight was paid $16,000 a year. Think of that. A 
copilot was paid $16,000 a year salary and worked part time in a coffee 
shop to make ends meet and lived with the parents in order to make ends 
meet. I don't know if most people understand this when they get on a 
commuter flight. A lot of flights in this country are on commuter 
airlines. You get on a plane that has the same markings on the tail and 
wings and fuselage of a major carrier, but in many cases it is not that 
carrier at all that is operating the flight. When people get on an 
airplane, they expect the same standard, the same standard of training, 
of crew rest, the same set of standards no matter what airplane they 
are on if they are flying commercially.
  The Federal Aviation Administration has the responsibility to set 
standards and then enforce them. The National Transportation Safety 
Board investigation of the Buffalo crash has raised very serious 
questions that need to be resolved. As chairman of the Aviation 
Subcommittee, working with the chairman and ranking member of the full 
Commerce Committee, I intend to be very involved in investigating what 
is happening.
  I don't say this to alert people to be anxious or excited about 
having to take a flight somewhere but as someone who flies a great 
deal. This disclosure about these issues on this flight is

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very troublesome. I want every American to believe that when they walk 
onto an airplane, no matter the company, that the experience, the 
capability in the cockpit is such that they can have comfort. I don't 
care whether you are flying on an Airbus 320, a Boeing triple 7 or A-8, 
you ought to feel, as a passenger, that that experience, the crew rest, 
the capability with the airplane in the cockpit gives you a substantial 
margin of safety.
  We have an unbelievable record in the skies across the country. We 
have had very few accidents. In recent years when we have had 
accidents, most of them have been with commuter airlines. I am not 
suggesting in any way that we get along without commuter airlines, but 
I believe the FAA has some significant questions to answer. I believe 
the FAA has a lot of work to do. We will now have a nomination hearing 
for Randy Babbitt to head the FAA. Frankly, the FAA has not had 
consistent leadership. I hope Mr. Babbitt will provide that. I expect 
during his confirmation hearing he will get a great many questions 
about these issues.
  I will have more to say about what we will do in my subcommittee as 
well later today. I did want to mention that I have been stunned by 
what has been revealed by the National Transportation Safety Board 
about that crash in Buffalo, NY by that commuter carrier. The family 
members of those who perished in the crash obviously are very concerned 
as well by what has been disclosed. It is a service to this country for 
the NTSB to have done a complete investigation. It will provide for all 
of us a reminder that there is much yet to do in the FAA to make 
certain that we maintain a good record of safety going forward. That 
applies to the major airlines and just as well and equally to commuter 
airlines.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum 
call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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