Representatives DeSaulnier, DeFazio, and Larsen Request GAO Study into Aviation Safety Incidents

Washington, DC – Representative Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) has called for a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) review of existing data on aviation safety incidents and an assessment of whether there are any gaps in collection and reporting of critical safety information. The study was requested by DeSaulnier, Transportation & Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA).

"We are fortunate that our aviation system in this country is so safe that catastrophic accidents are few and far between. To ensure we maintain this high standard for safety, we need to learn everything we can from the kinds of near-miss incidents we've seen over the past several months, three of which occurred at SFO," said Representative Mark DeSaulnier. This study is an important first step in ensuring the FAA is gathering information and addressing these safety concerns in the most effective way possible, and that it is adapting to new conditions and a changing aviation industry."

The GAO review request was submitted to Comptroller General of the United States and head of the GAO Gene L. Dodaro, and signed by the three members.

"Now is the time to take a closer look at what steps are necessary to prevent future near misses and runway incursions at airports across the United States," said Representative Larsen. "The number of incidents over the last year, including in Washington state, are a cause for concern. A better understanding of current safety gaps would help ensure the safety of the 2.5 million people who fly in and out of U.S. airports every day."

In the last seven months, five high profile, "near-miss" incidents have occurred at airports in the United States:

• July 7, 2017, at San Francisco (SFO): An Air Canada flight lined up to land on a taxiway occupied by four planes loaded with passengers before executing a go-around.
• October 12, 2017, at SFO: An Air Canada flight landed on a runway in spite of repeated instructions from air traffic control to execute a go-around.
• November 29, 2017, at Atlanta: A Delta Air Lines plane on approach in low visibility overflew a taxiway occupied by another plane loaded with passengers during a go-around.
• December 29, 2017, at Pullman, Washington: A Horizon Air plane landed on a taxiway.
• January 9, 2018, at SFO: An Aeromexico plane lined up to land on the wrong runway, which was occupied by a plane waiting to take off. The Aeromexico plane then executed a go-around.

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