In a unanimous vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Christopher Hart as the new chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. Mr. Hart has been acting chairman of the NTSB since April, when Deborah A.P. Hersman left to become the president and CEO of the National Safety Council. The confirmation allows Christopher Hart to officially begin his two-year term as the thirteenth chairman of the NTSB.
In addition to his time as acting chairman, Mr. Hart served as deputy director for the Air Traffic Safety Oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration. He served as the NTSB vice chairman from 2009 to 2014. He previously served the NTSB from 1990 to 1993. He is a licensed pilot, holding a commercial certificate with ratings for instrument flying and multiengine flying. Mr. Hart also holds a law degree from Harvard and degrees in aerospace engineering from Princeton.
During his time as acting chairman, Christopher Hart has targeted the investigation process regarding aviation accidents around the globe. He has suggested that federal accident investigation have not adapted in line with advances in technology. Accidents involving international participants have been hampered by confusion and delays in the sharing and reporting of data. Mr. Hart indicated that he wants the NTSB to analyze the investigation process and potentially redesign it from scratch.
Source: AOPA, “Pilot Christopher Hart confirmed as NTSB chairman,” by AOPA Communications staff, 12 March 2015
