FAA accused of leadership vacuum

By Tom Ramstack - Washington Times

(AP) American Airlines canceled another 900 flights yesterday to check for wiring problems as lawmakers complained that a lack of leadership at the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to recent safety lapses.

Airlines have canceled thousands of flights over the past month for overlooked safety inspections and maintenance that should have been completed months ago. American Airlines canceled nearly 2,500 flights in three days this week, disrupting the lives and schedules of more than 200,000 passengers.

As cancellations and confusion continue spreading to airports across the nation, some members of Congress are wondering whether a dispute with the Bush administration that has left the FAA with no top administrator for months contributed to the safety breakdown.

They also implied that some FAA managers are likely to be fired.

"Sometimes you got to fire people to make a point," Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV, West Virginia Democrat, said yesterday during a Senate hearing on airline safety.

Concerns about the lack of a permanent FAA administrator also have been raised by members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"With nobody in charge, it's hard to move projects forward," said Rep. John L. Mica, Florida Republican.

The FAA's previous administrator, Marion C. Blakey, ended her five-year term in September.

FMI: Washington Times