Sen. Maria Cantwell to accelerate pace of aviation bills in wake of door blowout

US Senator Maria Cantwell plans further aviation safety oversight following the Alaska Airlines mid-flight door plug blowout on a Boeing aircraft, likely going beyond what Congress typically does for aviation.

On the heels of advancing the committee’s Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, Cantwell, D-Wash., told reporters last week she feels Congress has fallen into a rut of only considering aviation overhauls as part of the reauthorization process. The January incident proves that “we need more sunshine here,” she said, and she intends to hold multiple oversight hearings in the spring that could give way to broader aviation safety and passenger protection legislation.

The FAA reauthorization bill is just the first step in her aviation agenda, she said, as it includes some provisions aimed at addressing concerns raised by last month’s mid-flight blowout. One would require airplanes to be equipped with cockpit recording devices that save at least 25 hours of audio — an increase from the current 2-hour capability, which caused the audio from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 to be erased.

Another would direct the FAA to use authority to expedite the hiring process for its positions related to aircraft certification. Cantwell said that provision is not in the House FAA reauthorization bill.

Lawmakers have until March 8 to pass a reauthorization bill or further extend the administration’s funding authority.