Aviation Safety Bill Honoring Bucks Co. 9/11 Pilot Progresses

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Enhanced aviation safety legislation named after a pilot from Lower Makefield Township who died in the Sept. 11 attacks has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.

U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick —who re-introduced the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act earlier this year —said that the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration made a final rule regarding secondary cockpit barriers on all newly manufactured commercial aircraft.

The final rule will require, within two years, that all passenger aircraft coming off production lines are equipped with life-saving secondary barriers., Fitzpatrick said.

“Since I first came to Congress, I have fought to make our skies and aircraft more secure for our pilots, flight crews, passengers, and their families," Fitzpatrick said. "After five years of waiting, I am proud to see that the Department of Transportation has issued this final rule to require secondary cockpit barriers on covered passenger aircraft from the moment of manufacture.”

The legislation honors Capt. Victor J. Saracini, who lost his life after his plane was hijacked and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

At the urging of Members of Congress, this provision for a rule was included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and was required to be issued by no later than October 2019. In July 2022, the FAA issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and solicited public comment for the next 60 days, Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick, alongside a wide range of bipartisan colleagues, reintroduced H.R. 911, the Saracini Enhanced Aviation Safety Act in the 118th Congress on Feb. 9.

The legislation extends the requirement for secondary cockpit barriers to all commercial aircraft and ensures that Congress lives up to the national promise to “Never Again” allow the events of September 11 to recur.

“I am grateful for the continued partnership of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle on this issue, as well as the exceptional advocacy of my friend Ellen Saracini, whose husband Capt. Victor Saracini perished on Sept. 11, 2001, when the flight he was piloting was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center," Fitzpatrick said. "While the action is a step in the right direction, this fight is far from being over. As Congress works to formulate the reauthorization of the FAA this year, and until we ensure the safety of the flight deck from physical intrusion, I will not stop pushing for extending the requirement for secondary cockpit barriers to all passenger airplanes.”

Fitzpatrick said the legislation remains a top priority to include the provision in the 2023 FAA Reauthorization package.

Read the rule HERE.

Read the text of H.R. 911 HERE.