Federal Aviation Administration’s Leader Steps Down Amid Controversy
Michael Whitaker, the leader of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), stepped down on January 20, just months after Elon Musk demanded his resignation. Whitaker’s departure comes after he clashed with Musk over fines proposed for SpaceX, which prompted Musk to accuse the agency of harassment and promise to sue.
Whitaker had been the FAA’s administrator for just over a year and was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 98-0 in October 2023. However, he announced his resignation in December, citing a desire to step down before the end of his five-year term in 2028.
In a statement, Whitaker thanked his staff and called his time at the FAA “the best and most challenging job of my career.” However, his departure leaves the agency without a Senate-confirmed leader during a major crisis, as it investigates a recent crash involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet.
Industry veteran Chris Rocheleau has been sworn in as the FAA’s deputy administrator, putting him in acting charge of the agency. Rocheleau’s appointment comes as the FAA faces persistent shortages of air traffic controllers and is investigating the recent crash, which is believed to have been caused by human error.
Whitaker’s departure is not the first time the FAA has struggled with leadership. His predecessor, Stephen Dickson, resigned in 2022 after just under three years in office. The agency has long struggled to have proper leadership, and its air traffic controllers are responsible for the safe movement of civilian aircraft.
The FAA’s investigation into the crash will be led by the independent National Transportation Safety Board, which is chaired by Jennifer Homendy. Homendy has also clashed with Musk over the safety of self-driving software in his Tesla cars.
