ValuJet crash prompts FAA shakeup, new rules
June 18, 1996
Web posted at: 4:50 p.m. EDTWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FAA's top enforcement official is leaving his post in the aftermath of last month's deadly ValuJet crash in the Florida Everglades.
The departure of Anthony Broderick, the agency's longtime associate administrator for regulation and certification, was announced Tuesday as early retirement. It was the same day ValuJet was grounded for safety concerns.
ValuJet Stories Refunds Reaction Coverage Related Sites and Stories FAA Administrator David Hinson praised Broderick's "distinguished service" at a Washington news conference carried live on CNN. (111K AIFF or WAV sound) Asked if he too should resign because of the ValuJet crash, Hinson replied, "I work at the pleasure of the president. If he thinks I am not doing a good job, he will tell me very quickly."
He also announced a tightening of FAA inspection rules. The changes, effective immediately, were designed to insure that repairs and general maintenance by airlines and their outside contractors are more frequently and rigorously reviewed.
Hinson acknowledged that the FAA did not accurately judge the airworthiness of ValuJet before the crash. He said the new regulations are "an acknowledgment that we need to do it differently and in some cases more efficiently. Yes, we bear some responsibilities in this case."
Earlier in the news conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena said the Clinton administration would ask Congress to restrict the FAA's mandate to safety, eliminating its role in promoting the airline industry. (145K AIFF or WAV sound)
Meanwhile, the President of Valujet said Tuesday the decision by the FAA to ground his airline has cost 4,000 employees their jobs. Lewis Jordan said he hopes the airline is back in business in 30 days but a final decision is out of his hands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Related stories:
- ValuJet Time Line
- ValuJet customers cope with shutdown - June 18, 1996
- Suspension 'grossly unfair,' says ValuJet - June 18, 1996
- ValuJet Grounded - June 17, 1996
- Crash victims' families ask FAA to ground ValuJet - June 12, 1996
- Search is over for ValuJet wreckage and remains - June 10, 1996
- FAA documents show ValuJet flew plane with fuel leak - June 8, 1996
- Report: ValuJet to overhaul maintenance after crash - June 7, 1996
- Tests may never reveal how ValuJet passengers died - June 6, 1996
Related sites:
- Anthony Broderick
- David Hinson
- ValuJet stock quote
- Valujet Homepage
- Federal Aviation Administration
- U.S. Department of Transportation
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