Families of Flight 3407 Applaud U.S. House of Representatives for Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill

May 15, 2024, Buffalo, New York– The Families of Flight 3407 wish to express their gratitude to the U.S. House of Representatives for the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Bill by an overwhelming majority (387-26).  This bipartisan legislation ensures the continued safety and oversight of our nation’s aviation system for the next five years.  

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Families of Flight 3407 Applaud House/Senate Conference Committee for Final Bill

Buffalo, New York – April 30, 2024– The Families of Flight 3407 wish to express their heartfelt appreciation to the members of the House/Senate Conference Committee for their diligent efforts in reconciling differences and presenting a final FAA Reauthorization Bill.

This bill addresses many critical safety concerns including those that have resulted in numerous near misses in recent years.  

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Remembering the 15th Anniversary of Flight 3407 Tragedy:  Families Advocate for Continued Airline Safety

Buffalo, New York; February 11, 2024 – Monday, February 12, 2024 will mark the 15th anniversary of the tragic and preventable crash of Continental Flight 3407 operated by Colgan Air, that took the lives of all on board and one man on the ground.  Our lives were forever altered that night. We lost cherished loved ones and sadly, the world lost many extraordinary and vibrant people who still had so much to give.

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Families of Flight 3407 Congratulate FAA Administrator Whitaker on His Confirmation

Buffalo New York, October 25, 2023 –   Following the confirmation of Michael G. Whitaker as the new FAA Administrator, the Families of Flight 3407 welcome his leadership at an agency that has operated without a permanent head for the past 18 months.   Members of the group attended his earlier Senate confirmation hearing, and noted his statement that if confirmed, his priority will be the safety of the flying public.   

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Flight 3407 Family Members to Attend Whitaker Confirmation Hearing

Call on Nominee to support current Part 121 Safety Provisions

Buffalo, New York – October 4, 2023 – As the Senate gears up for the confirmation hearing of Michael G. Whitaker as FAA Administrator, The Families of Flight 3407 have announced their intent to be present, continuing their advocacy for airline safety.

“We hope to hear a commitment to ‘One Level of Safety’ from Mr. Whitaker, along with his support for the current provisions of the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010” stated Scott Maurer of Palmetto Florida, who lost his 30-year-old daughter Lorin in the crash of Flight 3407.  “Every time a new FAA Reauthorization bill is proposed, there are attempts on the part of lobbyists to weaken the pilot qualification requirements, in spite of the fact that there has not been one, single fatal commercial airline crash in US since the law was enacted.  We need to know that Mr. Whitaker does not support the efforts of these lobbyists and will commit to maintaining the existing provisions that have proven to work so well.”

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Families of Flight 3407 Commend DOT/FAA for Addressing Charter Loophole

Buffalo NY, August 24, 2023 – The Families of Flight 3407 express their support for the “Notice of Intent” issued today by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate a rulemaking aimed at closing the so-called “Charter Loophole”.  This action comes as a response to the recent request by SkyWest Airlines to operate a portion of its fleet as SkyWest Charter, a move that could potentially lead to the employment of pilots with significantly less experience than what is currently required for commercial aviation.

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Statement from The Families of Flight 3407 following passage of the amendment to remove additional flight simulator time credit

The Families of Flight 3407 issued the following statement upon passage of amendment 5 to the House FAA Reauthorization bill.  The amendment removed a provision that would permit additional flight simulator hours to be credited toward the 1500-hour requirement for an Air Transport Pilot certificate, replacing hours of actual flying time in the cockpit.

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