NTSB Issues Safety Recommendation Regarding FAA Oversight of Commuter Carriers

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a formal safety recommendation, designated as A-94-115, addressing the oversight responsibilities of the Federal Aviation Administration. This directive supersedes the earlier Safety Recommendation A-92-065 and is grounded in the circumstances and findings derived from the investigation into the Express II Airlines accident that occurred in Hibbing, Minnesota, on December 1, 1993. The core of the recommendation urges the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a clear and specific directive for its flight standards inspectors and managers. This new guidance must emphasize the critical need for strict compliance with existing FAA orders, directives, and other relevant guidance material. The emphasis is specifically placed on these requirements during the certification and ongoing surveillance of commuter air carriers. The NTSB aims to ensure that regulatory frameworks are rigorously applied to maintain safety standards within this sector of commercial aviation.