Sen. Schumer says pilot safety regs being weakened

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer of New York warns national air safety regulations proposed after a Buffalo airliner crash two years ago are being watered down in Washington.

Schumer tells The Associated Press he will call on the Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday to fight what he says are industry efforts to weaken the August 2010 regulations. The rules aim to keep drowsy pilots out of cockpits.

The regulations he sponsored arose from the February 2009 crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407 in which all 49 people on board died along with one person on the ground. The regulations include more training and actions to make sure pilots are more alert in the air.

The National Transportation Safety Board reported that both pilots were probably fatigued, although that wasn't a direct cause of the tragedy.