Washington, D.C. – Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) expressed their condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. On March 10, 2019, 157 people died when their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing everyone on board. This was the second crash of the new 737 MAX aircraft within five months. A Lion Air flight in Indonesia crashed in October 2018 killing 189 passengers and crew. The Committee continues to investigate the patterns of problems in the design, development and certification of the aircraft that led to these tragic deaths.
“One year ago today, 157 lives were lost and countless others were changed forever. In their honor, our Committee continues its search for answers to figure out why the system failed so horribly and how we make sure something like this never happens again,” Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. “As we mark this somber day, I want to impart my deep gratitude to the families of the victims, including Paul Njoroge, Michael Stumo and Nadia Milleron, who have gone above and beyond to engage with regulators and elected officials, who fight tirelessly to ensure accountability, and perhaps most important of all, who are willing to share the stories of their loved ones, reminding the world of exactly why safety must always be the number one priority.”
“The tragic Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash devastated families and communities across the globe. My sincerest condolences go out to the victims’ families and loved ones on this difficult anniversary,” Chair Rick Larsen (D-WA) said. “I have met some of the victims’ family members whose presence, tireless advocacy and strength are a constant reminder of the impact of these tragedies. I will continue to keep the victims of this tragedy and Lion Air Flight 610, and their loved ones at the forefront.”
For information on the Committee’s ongoing investigation into the design, development, and certification of the Boeing 737 Max, click here.
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