New York’s Senator Chuck Schumer wants the FAA to exclude Boeing from the agency’s standing advisory committee on rulemaking. Schumer said that companies involved in active investigations shouldn’t also be involved in regulation writing. Schumer was, of course, referring to the aftermath of two crashes of Boeing 737 MAX 8 airliners, now the subject of intense international investigation.
“It makes no sense for Boeing —or any company for that matter— to be involved in an active investigation surrounding questions of safety while also retaining ‘membership’ on a federal committee that recommends airline industry regulations,” Schumer said in a statement. “That is why I am demanding the FAA both suspend Boeing from this committee and any others until the formal investigation has ended, and to also answer serious questions I have raised.”
Schumer sent a letter to acting FAA Administrator Daniel Elwell demanding that the agency should “suspend and/or update the public on Boeing’s membership” on the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee. Such ARCs routinely include industry representatives. Schumer said Boeing should be excluded until the MAX 8 investigation is complete.
