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FAA finally begins implementation of Doggett Balloon Safety Amendment

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November 2, 2021

Contact: Kate Stotesbery
202-494-4620

Austin, T.X. – Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a long-overdue rule today requiring commercial hot-air-balloon pilots to hold medical certificates when operating for hire. The proposed rule belatedly implements balloon safety legislation Rep. Doggett authored that became law in 2018 as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act.

On July 30, 2016, a commercial balloon took off carrying 16 people near Lockhart, Texas. Piloted by an impaired airman, the balloon struck high transmission power lines and crashed, killing all 16. The Texas crash remains the deadliest aviation disaster in the United States since 2009. The NTSB’s investigation found that the FAA’s refusal to require balloon operators to obtain a medical certificate contributed to the Texas tragedy. Despite this warning and Congressional action, passengers on a June 26 commercial balloon flight in Albuquerque, New Mexico were exposed to another impaired pilot. This balloon again hit power lines, killing all on board.

More than five years after that fatal crash and three years since balloon safety legislation was signed into law, FAA has finally begun the rulemaking process.

“The action FAA has proposed today comes far too late to bring so many innocent lives back,” said Congressman Doggett. “While a welcome step, FAA must move promptly and implement a final rule to ensure no more families will be exposed to the horror of a crash from an impaired pilot.”

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FAA

Rep. Doggett on the floor of the House in 2018.

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