FAA Urged to Adopt NTSB Hot-Air Balloon Safety Recs Now

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways & Means, urged Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta to immediately adopt the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) hot-air balloon recommendations. A 2016 hot-air balloon crash took 16 lives near Lockhart, in the Congressional district represented by Rep. Doggett. He has also authored legislative proposals to adopt these safety rules, but the FAA could and should act now. Rep. Doggett said:

"Voluntary standards are no substitute for federal enforcement. The FAA must act now and adopt the safety recommendations made by the NTSB. Continued rejection of NTSB's recommendations risks condemning more unsuspecting families to death."

Rep. Doggett's full letter is below and attached.

October 19, 2017

The Honorable Michael P. Huerta

Administrator

Federal Aviation Administration

800 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20591

Re: Hot Air Balloon Safety: Prompt Action Needed

Dear Administrator Huerta:

I write regarding our shared concern for the safety of balloon passengers. You are familiar with my previous request for related FAA action. And as you are well aware, two days ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the failure of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require a medical certificate for commercial balloon pilots contributed to the tragic 2016 Lockhart hot-air balloon crash that killed 16 people. I strongly urge you to swiftly adopt both safety recommendations made by the NTSB. Commercial balloon pilots should be required to obtain medical certificates. This is not a burdensome requirement. And the FAA should more effectively oversee the operators that pose the most significant safety risk to the public.

I am troubled by the FAA's recent press statements regarding a voluntary program developed with the Balloon Federation of America. This program is insufficient to address the lessons painfully learned from the Lockhart crash. The pilot in the Lockhart crash, for example, was not a member of this Federation and was not participating in a festival. The NTSB makes clear that this industry program, had it been in place, would have made no difference in preventing this Texas tragedy. Voluntary standards are no substitute for federal enforcement. Please do not wait for more to die before taking action.

Although I have authored legislative proposals that could eventually achieve this same result, the FAA has the authority to take this action now. Continued rejection of NTSB's recommendations risks condemning more unsuspecting families to death.

Please let me know whether you intend to implement these long-overdue improvements to hot air balloon safety.