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Klobuchar: FAA Must Act Quickly on Airplane De-Icing Rule

In letter to Secretary LaHood, Klobuchar calls for quick action to adopt de-icing rule

December 1, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar sent a letter to the Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to adopt a de-icing rule that has been pending for the last 12 years.  The rule would require certain aircrafts to be retrofitted with adequate ice-detection equipment or impose procedures outlining when pilots must utilize de-icing procedures.

"For 12 winters, this basic safety measure has been stalled,” said Klobuchar.  “As another season of snow and ice approaches, we need to make sure planes are prepared to safely fly in wintry conditions.”

Klobuchar’s letter followed a recent Senate hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board. Klobuchar noted the numerous air tragedies that have resulted from icy conditions in Minnesota.  Klobuchar is a member of the Aviation Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee.

The full text of the letter is below:

December 1, 2009

Ray LaHood
Secretary
Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC  20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:

At a recent Senate hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board, I was surprised and extremely dismayed to learn that an important de-icing rule -- requiring airlines to either retrofit certain aircraft with ice detection equipment or impose procedures governing when pilots must activate de-icing techniques -- has been pending before government agencies for the past 12 years.  In Minnesota, we have suffered numerous air tragedies as a result of icing conditions and the February 2009 crash of Colgan Air flight 3407 near Buffalo, New York raised tragic questions, once again, about the safety of our aircraft flying in such conditions without adequate ice protection procedures and equipment.

As you know, I have spoken to Cass Sunstein, Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, several times in the past month about the need to put this long-pending de-icing rule in place.  While I was pleased to see that, with Mr. Sunstein’s help, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently released this rule for public comment, I am still concerned about future delays in adopting this rule. 

Now is the time to get this done.  With another winter upon us, 12 years is simply too long to wait.  I urge the Department of Transportation and the FAA to act quickly to adopt this de-icing rule.  I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure the safety of our aviation system.

                                                  Sincerely,

                                                  Amy Klobuchar
                                                  U.S. Senator


cc:        Cass Sunstein