WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House has passed far-reaching aviation safety legislation developed in response to a deadly commuter airline crash in western New York last year.
The safety measures were approved without opposition late Thursday, with Senate action expected on Friday.
The bill is an attempt to force airlines to hire more experienced pilots, investigate their previous employment more thoroughly and train them better. It also would require the Federal Aviation Administration to overhaul regulations governing pilot work schedules.
The bill's impetus was the crash of a Continental Connection flight near Buffalo on Feb. 12, 2009. All 49 people aboard and one man in a house were killed.
An investigation faulted actions by the flight's pilots.
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