NTSB nominee backs mandatory ADS‑B In; STB nominee pledges rigorous merger review

Thomas Chapman, Presidentially nominated for a second term on the National Transportation Safety Board, told the Senate Commerce Committee that the ‘‘centerpiece’’ recommendation from the DCA mid‑air collision investigation is a requirement that aircraft be equipped with ADS‑B In in airspace where ADS‑B Out is required.

‘‘The centerpiece of the recommendations that we made...is absolutely...recommending requiring ADS‑B In in all airspace where ADS‑B Out is currently required,’’ Chapman said, describing how ADS‑B In would have given pilots earlier situational awareness in the DCA recreation and likely prevented the accident.

Why it matters: The recommendation, if implemented by statute or regulation, would affect a wide range of civil and military aircraft and could accelerate adoption of cockpit technologies designed to improve pilots’ ability to detect other aircraft. Chairman Cruz and other senators noted bipartisan momentum behind related legislation (the Rotor Act) and contrasted it with other measures that would not require ADS‑B In.

On rail oversight, STB nominee Karen Hedlund emphasized fidelity to the statutory public‑interest standard in merger reviews and said she would follow the comprehensive evaluation framework adopted in STB rules. When pressed about public reports that a Union Pacific executive said the STB’s 12‑month clock could be decisive and about alleged threats of retaliation against opponents of a merger, Hedlund declined to comment on the substance of pending matters but committed that retaliation against shippers or parties would be ‘‘utterly unacceptable’’ and that the board would ensure opportunities for open participation.

Chapman also briefed senators on bridge safety following the Key Bridge collapse. He said bridge owners are responding to NTSB recommendations but not uniformly, and told senators that Congress could reinforce bridge‑safety priorities in upcoming surface transportation legislation and engage in oversight.

What remained unresolved: Hedlund declined to comment on the substance of a pending major merger before the board to avoid prejudicing parties; senators pressed for clarity on how the STB will evaluate competition effects under its post‑2001 rules.

Next steps: The nominees pledged cooperation with the committee’s requests for information. Any statutory or regulatory changes to implement ADS‑B In or to alter STB merger rules would require further legislative or administrative action.