By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer
U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8th dist.) and New York Democratic Rep. Steve Israel introduced legislation that would protect Americans from 9/11-style terror attacks by requiring the installation of secondary cockpit barriers on most commercial aircraft.
The Saracini Aviation Safety Act mandates inexpensive, lightweight wire-mesh gates to be installed between the passenger cabin and the cockpit door that would block access to the flight deck whenever the cockpit door is opened during flight.
The legislation is named in honor of Capt. Victor J. Saracini, the pilot who was killed when terrorists hijacked United Flight 175 on Sept. 11, 2001. Saracini’s widow, Ellen, has been a leading advocate on the issue since her husband’s death.
“I never want another family to go through what mine did when terrorists breached the cockpit of my husband’s airplane on Sept. 11, 2001. It is my mission to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect the flight deck aboard our nation’s airliners because, without secondary barriers, we are just as vulnerable today as we were on that day,” she said. “That’s why I am pleased that, thanks to the leadership of Reps. Fitzpatrick and Israel, the 114th Congress is prepared to address the important issue of secondary barriers and begin protecting the skies above us.”
Since 2001, there have been at least 43 hijacking attempts around the world, five of which were successful.
“I’m pleased to work with Rep. Fitzpatrick and Mrs. Saracini to advocate for the safety of our skies and our continued fight against terrorism,” Israel said.
The bill is endorsed by the Air Line Pilots Association, the Allied Pilots Association, the US Airline Pilots Association, the Coalition of Airline Pilots Association, the Association of Flight Attendants, NY/NJ Port Authority, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and 9/11 Families.
Fitzpatrick is serving his fourth term in the House of Representatives. The 8th Congressional District includes all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.
