Trump Appoints Chris Rocheleau Acting FAA Head After DC Plane Collision

President Donald Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following a serious aviation incident involving an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C. Rocheleau, a U.S. Air Force veteran with over 20 years at the FAA, previously served as the chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association. The announcement comes after Mike Whitaker, who served as FAA administrator during the Biden administration, stepped down on Trump's inauguration day, leaving the agency without key leadership amidst ongoing safety concerns. Trump highlighted Rocheleau's respected reputation during a press briefing, where concerns were raised about the number of unfilled key positions within the FAA and other agencies. This leadership gap poses potential challenges for aviation safety and operational effectiveness at a critical time. The FAA's leadership transition follows the recent plane collision, emphasizing the urgency for effective governance in aviation safety.