In the wake of Wednesday night’s fatal mid-air collision just outside Washington, D.C. that killed all 67 people aboard two aircraft, President Donald Trump named Chris Rocheleau the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Thursday according to Flightglobal.
The appointment comes after Trump gutted a key federal aviation safety advisory committee and ordered federal hiring freezes last week.
Rocheleau, a well-known figure in aviation, previously served at the FAA until 2022 for 20 years, holding roles such as deputy associate administrator for aviation safety and chief of staff.
Most recently, he worked as chief operating officer at the National Business Travel Association. His return to the FAA fills a vacancy left by former administrator Michael Whitaker, who resigned the day before Trump’s inauguration.
The FAA faces mounting challenges, including a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers and a recent spike in near-miss incidents. The January 29 collision of an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter is the first fatal commercial airline crash in the U.S. since 2009, and it has intensified scrutiny of the agency’s safety protocols.
During a press briefing, Trump was quick to baselessly blame previous administrations’ diversity, equity and inclusion (“DEI”) policies for the catastrophe, causing a public backlash on social media before any investigation has taken place. Trump suggested that “brilliant” air traffic controllers are needed.
Responding to a press question, however, he said he was unaware of any performance issues related to the collision and noted that the cause of the crash is under investigation. Trump expressed concern over the helicopter flying at the same altitude as the passenger jet, according to The Hill.
At the time of the briefing, no evidence had been made available, and bodies were still being fished out of the Potomac River.
Rocheleau’s appointment comes as the FAA is working to modernize air traffic control systems and improve safety measures. The agency has yet to release the names of the crash victims, which reportedly included international figure skaters and young passengers.
Trump plans to meet with victims’ families and reiterated his commitment to ensuring the FAA is led by “competent professionals.” Rocheleau’s extensive experience positions him to address the agency’s pressing challenges amid ongoing calls for reform.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced yesterday it would release a preliminary report on the crash within 30 days.