Safety Standards on Small Passenger Aircraft--With Nine or Fewer Seats--Are Significantly Less Stringent Than on Larger Aircraft

Highlights

GAO reported on how current federal airworthiness standards and operating rules influence the safety of small aircraft.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Transportation	The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to identify those standards and rules governing small air carrier aircraft (nine or fewer seats) that are significantly less stringent than those applicable to larger air carrier aircraft.	Closed – Implemented FAA completed its study and identified rules and standards that are different for large and small air carrier aircraft.
Federal Aviation Administration	The Administrator, FAA, should seek the cooperation and assistance of aircraft manufacturers and air carrier operators in preparing the cost/benefit estimates.	Closed – Not Implemented The agency has determined that no significant safety benefits would result from upgrading small air carrier aircraft standards and rules. Thus, there is no need to prepare cost/benefit estimates of alternatives.
Department of Transportation	The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to prepare detailed cost/benefit estimates of the possible alternatives to upgrade those standards and rules that are less stringent.	Closed – Not Implemented The agency has determined that no significant safety benefits would result from upgrading small air carrier aircraft standards and rules. Thus, there is no need to prepare cost/benefit estimates of alternatives.
Department of Transportation	The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FAA, to implement those alternatives that are determined to be technologically feasible and cost beneficial.	Closed – Not Implemented The agency has determined that no significant safety benefits would result from upgrading small air carrier aircraft standards and rules. Thus, there is no need to prepare cost/benefit estimates of alternatives.

Full Report

Full Report (48 pages)

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Topics

Transportation

Air transportationPassengersAircraftAircraft accidentsAirline regulationCommercial aviationCost analysisSafety standardsTransportation safetyAccidents