FAA chief resigns following drunk-driving arrest
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Randy Babbitt, has resigned after his arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Virginia.
Babbitt, 65, had been placed on administrative leave Monday. He offered his resignation Tuesday to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who accepted.
“As FAA Administrator, Randy Babbitt has been a dedicated public servant and outstanding leader. I’m proud to say that we have the safest aviation system in the world, and thanks to Randy’s stewardship, it became safer and stronger,” LaHood said in a statement. “On behalf of the American people, I thank him for his service and his leadership.”
Babbitt was arrested by police in Fairfax, Va., on Saturday for allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road. He cooperated with the arrest and was released on his own recognizance after posting a bond.
A former pilot for Eastern Airlines for more than 25 years, Babbitt had been the administrator of the FAA since 2009.
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