
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 15, 1994                   TAG: 9412150062
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

AIRLINER SAFETY TO BE STUDIED

A day after the second commuter airline crash this fall, Transportation Secretary Federico Pena set a 100-day deadline to bring safety regulations for smaller commuter planes up to the same standards as larger air carriers.

``We are very troubled by the number of accidents we've had this year,'' Pena said Wednesday.

Fifteen people died Tuesday night when an American Eagle Jetstream crashed near Raleigh-Durham, N.C.

``Sustained public confidence depends on our making continuous gains in safety,'' Pena told New York's Wings Club, a group of aviation industry executives, following his visit to the scene of the crash.

Pena said the Federal Aviation Administration will launch ``the most comprehensive review ever'' of airline safety.

In addition, he said he will meet as soon as possible with airline chief executives and safety officers, pilots and airplane manufacturers.

``I'm pleased that the secretary has reacted as quickly as he did,'' said J. Randolph Babbitt, president of the Air Line Pilots Association.

FAA Administrator David R. Hinson announced last month that the rules covering commuter airliners - those seating 30 or fewer people - would be brought up to the same standard as larger planes. However, no timetable was set.

The rule changes will tighten safety inspections of the smaller planes, reduce the number of hours pilots can fly and require dispatchers to assist crew in checking the weather, determining the weight and balance of the plane, planning routes and other ground duty. Pilots for the smaller planes often have to do all such chores by themselves.

by CNB