US: Senators question FAA on aircraft certification

A group of US senators Wednesday questioned the FAA oversight of Boeing's 737 MAX as the agency defended the longstanding practice of deferring much of the process of certifying new aircraft to manufacturers. Chair, Susan Collins, and others criticised the FAA's interaction with Boeing, saying the agency faced pressure from the company to get its new plane approved on schedule. "One has to question what has happened to (the FAA's safety) commitment - whether resource shortages have caused the agency to be too deferential to the aircraft manufacturer and whether it is really wise in the case of Boeing to have allowed the company to certify 96% of its own work," Collins said, citing a media report that found "safety concerns seemed to be placed second to concerns about Boeing able to meet its own timelines." <br/>