Inland Empire Congresswoman Norma Torres Demands Answers from FAA & Boeing Regarding Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) – who represents Ontario International Airport (ONT) in the House of Representatives and serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development – sent a letter today to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker demanding answers about how the agency and Boeing will keep the flying public safe following a midair window blowout on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5, 2024. The flight’s final destination was ONT, right in the heart of California’s 35th Congressional district, and its forced emergency landing again raises concerns about the Boeing 737 Max model, which has experienced many safety failures in recent years.
“This incident endangered the lives of 177 souls on board Alaska Airlines flight 1282 and the thousands of others who may be in harm's way on similar planes or by whose travel plans were disrupted by the precautionary groundings that Alaska Airlines has taken. America has long held the record of having the safest airspace and flight protocols in the world. That said, Boeing’s track record, along with the FAA’s safety oversight in recent years, has raised serious, warranted concerns for the flying public,” writes Congresswoman Torres.
“The 116th and 117th Congressional investigations exposed alleged corporate negligence and failed oversight at the FAA that may have contributed to the crashes of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Lion Air Flight 610. The grounding of all of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft in 2019, which included all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft, and the necessary ousting of Boeing CEO Ed Mullenburg, as well as necessary changes to the law to prevent future oversight failures, have tarnished the safety record we hold in such high regard in the United States,” Congresswoman Torres continues.
“Additionally, it is concerning that this is not the first time that Boeing has tried to look for leeway. It was recently reported that the company is petitioning the FAA to bypass some safety standards for its Boeing 737-7 models involving the engine’s anti-ice system. The safety of passengers should always be the priority and not secondary. As a member of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee on Appropriations, I look forward to working with your agency to discuss next steps on addressing this incident with Boeing,” concludes Congresswoman Torres.
Congresswoman Torres is a senior member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, which oversees government funding for federal transportation programs. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus FAA Reauthorization Task Force, she helped pass the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act in the House last year, securing improvements for airport infrastructure and fighting air pollution in heavily polluted communities like the Inland Empire.
The full text of Congresswoman Torres’ letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker can be found HERE.