Texas Congressmembers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Require FAA Implement NTSB Safety Recommendation
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), joined by Reps. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Will Hurd (R-TX) filed bipartisan legislation directing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to require medical certifications for commercial balloon pilots. This bill follows the National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigation of the fatal 2016 hot-air balloon crash that occurred in the Congressional district Rep. Doggett represents near Lockhart.
"Because the FAA has failed to act, I am taking action to ensure no more families risk injury or death from unsafe hot-air balloon pilots," said Congressman Doggett (D-TX). "The FAA should not delegate its responsibility for public safety to a private lobbying group upon which it has thus far relied. Delay risks further disasters. No more balloon tragedies should be required to justify the reasonable safety measures we need."
"This legislation will save lives and prevent tragedies like last summer's hot air balloon crash near Lockhart," said Congressman Farenthold (R-TX). "The FAA should require a medical certificate for commercial balloon pilots to keep people in the air and on the ground safe."
"During my DC2DQ town hall stop in Ozona this August, I was moved by the personal story of a constituent who lost a family member in the recent hot air balloon accident. While nothing will bring these innocent folks back, the tragedy shined a light on the industry, and gave us an opportunity to improve the safety of future passengers. If a commercial operator is responsible for the lives of others, he or she should be required to be licensed," said U.S. Representative Will Hurd (R-TX).
Congressman Doggett previously introduced this legislation as an amendment to the long-delayed FAA legislation, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2997), now not likely scheduled for action until next year. In adopting its final report on Tuesday, October 17, the NTSB found FAA oversight was a contributing factor to the deadly Lockhart crash. NTSB recommended the FAA end its exemption for commercial hot-air balloon operators, requiring them to hold a medical certificate, like commercial airplane pilots. Following this most recent NTSB action, Congressman Doggett once again urged the FAA to use its existing authority to accomplish the same objective.