Committee on TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE U.S. House of Representatives	Democratic  News
Room 2163 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC  20515 Telephone 202-225-4472	Rep. James L. Oberstar, Ranking Democratic Member

For Immediate ReleaseWednesday, February 26, 2004 

 

 

Oberstar, DeFazio Call for Study of Contract Aircraft Repair Stations

 

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WASHINGTON—Two senior Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today voiced their concern over the growing use of contract maintenance bases by U.S. airlines and asked for an investigation into the practice’s impact on airline safety.

 

In a letter to Department of Transportation Inspector General Kenneth Mead, Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), ranking Democrat on the full committee, and Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (Ore.), ranking Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee, expressed concern that the Federal Aviation Administration is not well equipped to properly oversee maintenance done by these contractors.

 

“While general information is available on the dollar value of the maintenance work that airlines contract out, it is unclear exactly how much work is being outsourced and what type of work is being performed by repair stations.  An independent analysis of the type of maintenance (e.g., heavy airframe, engines, or avionics) being shifted to repair stations, the downsizing of in-house maintenance personnel, and the corresponding impact on safety, if any, is sorely needed,” the letter reads in part.

 

We are asking the IG to look beyond what the airlines are required to report on their maintenance costs, and to give us a clear picture of what work is being done at these stations, who is performing it, and what this outsourcing trend means to the safety of the traveling public,” Oberstar said.

 

“As the airline industry struggles under tremendous financial pressures we cannot allow security and safety to be outsourced to the lowest bidder,” said DeFazio.  “Passengers aren't interested in paying for a cheaper ticket if the plane doesn't get there safely.”

 

MORE…

 

OBERSTAR/DeFAZIO

ADD ONE

2/26/04

 

The request was issued the same day the National Transportation Safety Board attributed part of the responsibility for the January, 2003, US Airways Express crash at Charlotte, N.C., to improper repair work done at a contractor maintenance base.  Twenty-one people died in the accident.

 

Contacts: Jim Berard (Oberstar) 202-225-6260

Kristine Greco (DeFazio) 202-225-6416