Legislator Greene resolution backs efforts of Flight 3407 families
The Erie County Legislature passed a resolution unanimously today that calls on the federal government to continue with tougher safety standards for the airline industry. Erie County Legislator Chris Greene introduced the resolution in opposition to SkyWest Airlines efforts to reclassify, which critics say would significantly reduce airline safety rules. Many of those safety rules were implemented after the February, 2009 crash of Flight 3407 in Clarence, New York that killed 50 people.
“This is an opportunity for the Erie County Legislature to say not on our watch. My hometown, along with the greater western New York community knows the pain and heartache so many felt after that crash 14 years ago. The families and loved ones of victims fought hard to improve safety in the skies and it worked,” said Legislator Chris Greene, sponsor of the resolution.
SkyWest Airlines has requested to be reclassified from a major airline to a commuter airline in an effort to reduce the safety rules that it currently must adhere to. “Reclassifying SkyWest Airlines would ultimately weaken safety regulations, and would put the lives of both passengers and crew at risk,” said Legislator Greene.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that the Flight 3407 pilots were not properly trained and were tired, and the regional airline, Colgan Air, had a poor safety record. The NTSB recommended, and loved ones of Flight 3407 victims fought for enhanced pilot training and qualification requirements, as well as enhanced oversight. Those efforts resulted in a reduction in commercial aviation fatalities by 99.8%.
“My resolution urges the FAA to reject SkyWest Airlines request and to continue to make safety a priority in the airline industry. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their full support of this resolution. When it comes to the airline industry we must never compromise on safety,” concluded Legislator Greene.
