The families of Flight 3407 have been fighting for aviation safety regulations since Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed and killed 50 people.
On Tuesday morning, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced safety regulations pushed by 3407 families are protected in the initial Senate FAA re-authorization bill.
This bill is only the first step in the FAA reauthorization process and is still subject to amendment.
The families pushed the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010, which required the FAA to create regulations to improve safety, pilot training and qualification, pilot fatigue rules, airline pilot training and safety management programs.
“Time after time, the 3407 family members work tirelessly to beat back industry’s effort to roll back safety standards because travelers should never be more in harm’s way or fly in less capable hands simply because they took a regional carrier. Yet, no matter how much progress we’ve made, some special interests still attempt to roll back these critical safety measures. That is why I am going to keep fighting along with Senator Gillibrand and the entire Western New York delegation to ensure these standards stay in place," said Senator Schumer.
“It would be reckless and irresponsible for us to turn our backs on the families who fought so hard after the Colgan Air Flight 3407 tragedy to make sure all commercial pilots and co-pilots are properly trained, qualified, and rested when flying the public. I will continue to work hand-in-hand with Senator Schumer and our colleagues to ensure that we maintain one level of safety for all passengers and crews," said Senator Gillibrand.
