Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ESTES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 67 lives that we lost on January 29, 2025. After months of investigative work, the NTSB uncovered systemic failures that culminated in the fateful midair collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger aircraft.

The flight originated from my hometown of Wichita, Kansas. Our community was shocked by the tragedy, and I am heartbroken that several Kansans were among the victims. No family should ever have to endure that heartbreak.

It is imperative that we work in Congress to ensure tragedies like this never happen again and that our skies are the safest in the world. We must build back the layers of safety that failed that night.

I am grateful for the work of the NTSB and the Senate, and I realize there is always more that can and should be done to enhance aviation safety. I look forward to continuing this important work that honors their lives and makes our skies safer. Flying in the United States is the safest of anywhere in the world, but we must continue to identify and implement ways to make it safer.

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