The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), were among the aviation groups that welcomed Jennifer Homendy’s Senate confirmation as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
“We congratulate Jennifer Homendy on her confirmation to lead the NTSB and look forward to working with her across many areas that influence the safety of business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.
Homendy was confirmed as the 44th member of the NTSB in August 2018 and reconfirmed by the Senate the following year to a five-year term. Her areas of expertise include railroad and pipeline safety and the transport of hazardous materials across all modes of travel, including aviation.
“NATA looks forward to continuing to work closely with Chair Homendy in advancing our efforts to combat illegal charter operations, as this remains a top priority for maintaining safer skies,” said NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts.
In her time with the NTSB, Homendy has served with the board’s on-scene investigative response teams for several aviation accidents, including the May 2019 midair collision of two aerial tour aircraft near Ketchikan, AK; the June 2019 downing of a skydiving aircraft on takeoff near Mokuleia, Hawaii; and the January 2020 helicopter crash that claimed the lives of nine people, including basketball star Kobe Bryant and his daughter.
From 2004 – 2018, Homendy served as the democratic staff director of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and has completed private pilot ground school.
Homendy succeeds former NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt, who stepped down from the board on June 30.
