ROTOR Act Fails in House, ALPA Says 67 Lives Demand Congress Finish the Job

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. The legislation would mandate the installation of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast In (ADS-B In) equipment to provide integrated safety-enhancing capabilities.

“While today’s vote fell short, the strong bipartisan majority who voted in favor of the ROTOR Act today sent an unmistakable message that Congress knows what needs to be done. We thank every representative who stood with the families of PSA Flight 5342 and voted to mandate this lifesaving technology.

"Situational awareness is critical to preventing aviation accidents; it can save lives. This technology could have alerted the pilots of the imminent collision, giving them the time to avoid it. 59 seconds vs. 19. That's the difference the NTSB says ADS-B In could have made for PSA Flight 5342, saving 67 lives.

"ALPA's focus now shifts to working with House leaders to amend the ALERT Act to ensure that ADS-B In, integrated into the flight deck, is specifically mandated in its legislation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommends that the FAA require all aircraft operating ADS-B Out to also be equipped with Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) that is configured to provide audible alerting to the pilot or flight crew as a key to preventing future midair collisions. That is our mission, and we will not rest until ADS-B In is fully integrated into the flight deck of every airliner that takes to our skies.

“We look forward to working with both chambers to advance meaningful legislation that addresses the full scope of what the NTSB has called for. The families of those we lost deserve nothing less than complete action.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org