WASHINGTON — The Associated Press reports that President George W. Bush said yesterday that he would elevate Republican John Hammerschmidt to vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, enabling him to take over when a Democrat’s term expires this weekend.
The move means Hammerschmidt will become acting chairman on Saturday, replacing Carol Carmody, who steps down but remains on the board.
Carmody warned White House chief of staff Andrew Card in a letter last Wednesday – the day of the plane crash at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport that killed 21 people – that no one would be in charge of the board when her term as vice chairman expires.
Hammerschmidt’s second five-year term as a board member ended Dec. 31. However, NTSB board members can serve beyond their terms if a replacement hasn’t been named.
Carmody became acting chairman last year when Bush appointed NTSB chairman Marion Blakey to head the Federal Aviation Administration. The Senate must confirm a permanent chairman, which is unlikely before Saturday because the Senate is in recess.
The safety board investigates every civil aviation accident and major railroad, highway, marine and pipeline accident in the United States. It also issues safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.
In a catastrophic accident such as a plane crash, the NTSB chairman decides how much to spend on an investigation, coordinates with the Justice Department if it should involve potential criminal activity, exercises subpoena power and coordinates with safety boards outside the United States.