Rep. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y. (26th CD), issued the following news release:

Yesterday, Members of the Western New York delegation met with executives of Pinnacle Airlines, the owner of Colgan Air. Colgan was the regional carrier operating Flight 3407, which crashed in Clarence Center in February 2009.

The following is a joint statement from Representatives Kathy Hochul (NY-26), Brian Higgins (NY-27), and Louise Slaughter (NY-28):

"This meeting was the continuation of our efforts to ensure that a tragedy like the crash of Flight 3407 will never happen again. We requested this meeting last month, after two disturbing developments: the landing of a Colgan Air flight at the wrong airport in Louisiana, and an FAA proposal to fine Colgan $1.9 million for alleged improper flight crew safety training. We used this opportunity to push Pinnacle for explanations for both of these incidents.

"We also used yesterday's meeting to press Pinnacle to detail Colgan's safety enhancements since the crash of Flight 3407, and their involvement in the ongoing FAA rulemaking process.

"We will not be satisfied until sufficient rules addressing pilot fatigue and training are finalized. Until then, we will continue to push President Obama, OMB, FAA, and the airline industry to aggressively work to correct deficiencies in flight safety."

The Western New York delegation met with, John Spanjers, Pinnacle Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Dan Morgan, Pinnacle Vice President for Flight Operations, and Megan Rosia, Pinnacle Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs.

Contact: Fabien Levy, 202/225-5265

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