Following the recent plane crash in Washington, D.C., Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, emphasized the importance of congressional oversight to ensure aviation safety. Nehls highlighted the need for airports facing challenges with air traffic controllers to communicate such issues to Congress. He expressed the importance of encouraging more young individuals to pursue careers in air traffic control to address potential staffing shortages.
Nehls acknowledged the overall safety record of the U.S. aviation industry, noting that there has not been a major incident in the country for the past 15 years. While referencing the tragic Colgan Air crash in 2009 that claimed 47 lives, he commended the industry's safety standards, considering the approximately 45,000 daily flights across the nation.
Despite the strong safety record, Nehls stressed the need to address any issues promptly. He expressed confidence in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to conduct a thorough investigation into the recent crash. Nehls anticipated that the NTSB would provide recommendations to enhance safety measures and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
