CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
September 25, 2025
The Honorable Bryan Bedford Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave
SW Washington, DC 20591
Dear Administrator Bedford,
"We write with concerns following recent reports of increased incidences of oil and hydraulic fluid fumes in the cabin and flight deck (fume events) on U.S. commercial aircraft.1 We are deeply concerned about the health risks and potential for comprised flight safety this exposure presents to our constituents, who you are responsible for protecting, and urge you to expeditiously implement the requirements laid out in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization law to ensure the safety of the flying public.
As you know, nearly all commercial aircraft ventilation air supplied to the cabin and flight deck is first compressed either in the main aircraft engines or a small auxiliary engine in the tail. “Bleed air” comprises the majority of the air on most flights, the remaining portion having been recirculated throughout the aircraft. This “bleed air” design has dominated all aircraft markets since the early 1950s, and while aircraft have seals to prevent oils from leaching into the air bound for the cabin, these seals can wear and degrade allowing oil to be vaporized and releasing unknown quantities of contaminants into the air that passengers and crew members inhale." (©sic)
Continue reading in the file below:
September 25, 2025
The Honorable Bryan Bedford Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave
SW Washington, DC 20591
Dear Administrator Bedford,
"We write with concerns following recent reports of increased incidences of oil and hydraulic fluid fumes in the cabin and flight deck (fume events) on U.S. commercial aircraft.1 We are deeply concerned about the health risks and potential for comprised flight safety this exposure presents to our constituents, who you are responsible for protecting, and urge you to expeditiously implement the requirements laid out in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization law to ensure the safety of the flying public.
As you know, nearly all commercial aircraft ventilation air supplied to the cabin and flight deck is first compressed either in the main aircraft engines or a small auxiliary engine in the tail. “Bleed air” comprises the majority of the air on most flights, the remaining portion having been recirculated throughout the aircraft. This “bleed air” design has dominated all aircraft markets since the early 1950s, and while aircraft have seals to prevent oils from leaching into the air bound for the cabin, these seals can wear and degrade allowing oil to be vaporized and releasing unknown quantities of contaminants into the air that passengers and crew members inhale." (©sic)
Continue reading in the file below:
| congress_usa_09.25.2025-letter-to-faa-on-toxic-fume-events.pdf |
