For Release: Wednesday, October 11, 2000
Contact: Colleen Corr (202) 225-5701/Heather Lepeska, (202) 225-5661

CONGRESSMEN INTRODUCE BILL TO SET MINIMUM MILLION DOLLAR PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL SHIPMENT OF OXYGEN GENERATORS ON AIRCRAFT

WASHINGTON-- Today Congressman Bill Lipinski (D-IL), the Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, introduced a bill to increase the minimum civil and criminal penalty to one million dollars for violations of requirements prohibiting the transportation of chemical oxygen generators on passenger aircraft. Congressmen Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Jerry Costello (D-IL) joined as original co-sponsors of the legislation.

"According to a recent article in USA Today, the FAA confirms that there have been 60 incidents involving 24 airlines in which oxygen generators were illegally shipped as cargo on passenger and cargo aircraft between May 1996 and June of this year," Congressman Bill Lipinski explained. "This is an outrage, especially given the lessons learned after the ValuJet tragedy about the dangers of oxygen generators on passenger aircraft."

On May 11, 1996, ValuJet Flight 592 crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing all passengers and crew on board. The accident was caused by the self-ignition of oxygen generator canisters improperly shipped in the cargo hold. As a result of this tragedy, FAA regulations now prohibit airlines from transporting oxygen generators in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Oxygen generators, if properly packaged, marked, and labeled as hazardous materials, may be shipped on cargo-only carriers under current regulations.

The amount of the fines levied by the FAA for the illegal shipment of oxygen generators on passenger aircraft vary greatly today. In addition, the FAA frequently reduces proposed fines after negotiations with accused shippers and carriers.

"This bill sets a minimum penalty of one million dollars for the illegal shipment of oxygen generators on passenger aircraft," Congressman Lipinski explained. "If shippers or carriers are found guilty of violating these regulations, they will pay for their carelessness - no ifs, ands, or buts. They will pay one million dollars, at a minimum, for their risky non-compliance with the law."

"It is troubling that airlines are still illegally shipping hazardous oxygen canisters after the ValuJet tragedy in Florida," Congressman Costello added. "I am hopeful that the passage of this legislation will put a stop to this practice."

The bill establishes a minimum million dollar civil and criminal penalty for violations of requirements prohibiting the transportation of chemical oxygen generators on passenger aircraft. The bill also prohibits the minimum penalty from being compromised or reduced in any way.

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