PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Congressional Research Service
Version 53 · Passed House · Nov 17, 2020
Aircraft Certification Reform and Accountability Act
This bill addresses certain safety standards relating to the aircraft certification process.
Among other things, the bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
direct U.S. aircraft and aerospace industry manufacturers to adopt safety management systems consistent with international standards and practices;
convene an expert panel to review organizations that design and produce transport airplanes and make recommendations for improvements;
require manufacturers to disclose to the FAA certain safety-critical information related to an aircraft;
conduct a comprehensive review of each manufacturing Organization Designation Authorization holder's capability to meet FAA regulations based on the holder's organizational structures, requirements applicable to officers and employees, and safety culture;
establish an appeal process to review decisions regarding a manufacturer's compliance with applicable design regulations;
revise and improve its process of issuing amended type certificates for modifying an aircraft;
initiate a call to action safety review of pilot certification standards in order to bring stakeholders together to share lessons learned, best practices, and implement actions to address any safety issues identified; and
conduct an evaluation of tools and methods that support the better integration of human factors and system safety assessments of aircraft flight deck and flight control systems into the FAA's certification process.
People & committees
Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] · D–OR
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5835-5844)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5835-5844)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8408.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5835-5847)
Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 477.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-579.
Reported by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-579.
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.8408 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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