10 hours ago
Families of Flight 3407 say meeting with Sean Duffy was ‘encouraging'
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The families of Flight 3407 were in Washington on Wednesday continuing their fight to keep air travel safe. They met with the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to announce their opposition to FAA nominee Bryan Bedford.
During a news conference after the meeting, families said they left feeling slightly more encouraged than how they felt after Bedford's hearing earlier this month.
'He listened to us and said he will hold Bedford accountable,' said Karen Eckert, who lost her sister Beverly in the Flight 3407 crash. 'We will hold Secretary Duffy accountable too, that he does hold the line on safety.'
'We will continue to vigilantly watch the FAA and secretary Duffy to make sure that he does what he says, and be assured that the families of Flight 3407 will not go away,' said Marilyn Kausner, who lost her daughter Elly in the crash.
In 2009, Continental Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in a home in Clarence Center, killing all 49 people on board and one person on the ground. Investigators determined the cause of the crash was pilot error.
For over 16 years, families have worked with lawmakers to pass stricter FAA regulations with pilot training and fatigue. In 2010, the Airline Safety Act was passed, which requires a minimum of 1,500 flight hours before becoming a pilot.
Families said Bedford has a history of advocating for fewer training hours. If he's at the head of the FAA, families are worried he can reverse everything they have worked for.
Duffy told the families that he is Bedford's boss and has no plans to change the rule.
'Our meeting today was essentially the beginning, hopefully of an open dialogue with the current administration and there clearly were some welcoming signs, but the door has been left open and that does give us reason to have pause,' said Scott Maurer, who lost his daughter in the crash.
Jennifer West and her daughter Summer were among the families who talked to Duffy.
Summer lost her father, Ernie, in the crash. Summer read a letter to Duffy. It read in part, 'growing up without him wasn't just sad, it was confusing and isolating.' She went on to say in the letter, 'if weakening this law means another child loses their parent the way I lost mine, it's not worth it.'
Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Tim Kennedy also met with the families on Wednesday in Washington to assure them that they will continue to fight with them for air safety.
Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work.
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