FAA chief defends Boeing Max certification policy

The Federal Aviation Administration’s acting chief has stoutly defended the agency against criticism of its certification policy for new aircraft.

Daniel Elwell told a Senate subcommittee the agency has final authority over approval decisions of a plane’s safety, even though most work is carried out by the plane manufacturer’s workers.

“We do not allow self-certification of any kind,” Elwell said, adding that the procedure has ‘consistently produced safe aircraft designs for decades.’

In the case of the Boeing 737 Max, Boeing employees performed tests and inspections with the FAA overseeing their work.

The FAA is ‘directly involved’ at all stages, he said.

To take all inspection in-house, the agency would need an extra 10,000 employees and additional funding of $1.8 billion a year, Elwell added.

“Safety experts have long raised concerns that the program leaves the fox in charge of the hen house,” Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal wrote priory to the hearing.

The DOT weighed in on a perceived cushy relationship between the FAA and Boeing.

“‘I am of course concerned about any allegations of coziness with any company or manufacturer, transportation secretary Elaine Chao told members of the subcommittee.

“The FAA is a professional organization but these questions, when they arise, are troubling.”

source: Travel Mole