Aviation organizations and families affected by the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash have expressed support for the Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous approval of the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act. The bill, introduced by Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), aims to improve aviation safety by requiring ADS-B technology in aircraft and enhancing air traffic control systems.
The legislation was brought forward six months after a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025. Senator Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell worked together on the bill’s text, which recently advanced out of committee with bipartisan backing.
The Families of Flight 5342 stated: “The Families of Flight 5342 deeply thank Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for their bipartisan leadership in advancing the Cruz/Cantwell ROTOR Act- an essential first step toward fixing the failures that cost 67 lives on January 29, 2025. Their action demonstrates that safety must always come before politics, profit, or convenience.”
Sheri and Tim Lilley, parents of First Officer Sam Lilley who died in the crash, said: “Sheri and I support the ROTOR Act as written and urge Congress to preserve the bill’s strong safety provisions. Had this legislation been in place earlier this year, 67 lives, including our son Sam’s, would have been spared. Both ADS-B and ACAS-X are vital, complementary technologies that provide multiple layers of collision avoidance and enhance situational awareness for all pilots. Every aircraft operator, particularly those transporting passengers for hire, has a moral obligation to invest in safety systems. The ROTOR Act represents meaningful progress toward ensuring that the lessons of January 29 lead to lasting change and safer skies for everyone who boards an aircraft.”
The Aerospace Industries Association noted: “The Aerospace Industries Association applauds Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell for their bipartisan leadership on the ROTOR Act. The tragic collision near DCA earlier this year served as a stark reminder of the responsibility shared by every stakeholder in our aviation ecosystem. Safety is the top priority of the American aerospace industry, and the ROTOR Act honors that commitment. AIA and our members stand ready to support the implementation of these reforms and continue working with Congress, the FAA, and other federal partners to create a safer national airspace and ensure that tragedies like the one at DCA never happen again.”
Other groups such as Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Airlines for America (A4A), American Airlines, Boeing, Cargo Airline Association, Delta Air Lines, JSX, and National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) also issued statements supporting the legislation. They emphasized its potential to close gaps in aviation safety standards by mandating updated technology requirements for operators across U.S. airspace.
Supporters believe that passage of this act will help prevent future incidents similar to Flight 5342 by making technological upgrades mandatory throughout commercial aviation operations.
