Federal Reports

Semiannual Report to Congress (26-1)

During the week of December 8, 2025, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Westchester Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and four delivery units serviced by the plant. The delivery units included the Mount Vernon, New Rouchelle, White Plains, and Yonkers Main Post Offices in the New York, NY, area.

We issued individual reports for the four delivery units and the P&DC. We also issued another report summarizing the results of our audits at all four delivery units with specific recommendations for management to address.

Our Objective(s) 

To assess the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) actions in response to recent incidents of toxic smoke and fumes entering aircrafts' cockpit or cabin when load reduction devices (LRD) are activated. Our findings are organized as follows: (1) FAA's Corrective Action Review Board's (CARB) recommendation, (2) additional safety concerns identified by accident investigators, (3) potential issues unaddressed by the CARB, and (4) FAA's Flight Standards' assessment of simulator technology. 

Why This Audit 

In March and December 2023, bird strikes damaged the engines of Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes, causing oil mist and irritating fumes to enter the aircraft and putting aircrews and passengers at risk. In light of these incidents, and the disagreement between FAA offices about adoption of interim changes which could affect safety, we initiated this audit. 

What We Found 

FAA's CARB recommended an Airworthiness Directive via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). 

• The CARB, held on November 26, 2024, resulted in a consensus decision to address the risks posed by LRD activation incidents in LEAP-1B engines. The CARB recommended FAA publish an NPRM requiring the Agency to issue an Airworthiness Directive when LRD software updates become available. 

FAA's Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention accident investigators identified several safety concerns that the CARB's recommended actions did not resolve to investigators' satisfaction. 

• FAA's senior air accident investigators identified several risks and provided associated recommendations to FAA leadership. The CARB did not agree that all the investigators' concerns required action. 

The CARB did not address potential process and safety issues. 

• We identified several issues that could require further analysis and additional action, including how FAA monitors how long it will take to develop and install the updated engine software across the entire fleet of 737 MAX aircraft, notifies newly hired pilots of LRD activation hazards, and trains pilots on how to properly use oxygen equipment. 

FAA's Flight Standards determined that simulator technology updates were needed to address LRD activation. 

• In response to FAA's request for a safety review of current flight simulator capabilities, two airlines indicated 737 MAX full flight simulators can increase vibration but do not incorporate LRD activation directly nor simulate smoke or fumes in the flight deck. 

Recommendations 

We made 4 recommendations to improve aviation safety related to LRD activation. 

Update: As required by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, this report has been updated to include comments submitted by non-governmental organizations or business entities specifically identified in the report (see Appendix B).

Why We Did This Report

We conducted this audit to determine whether the EPA is managing its Superfund special accounts properly and timely in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and guidance.
 

Summary of Findings

Based on our in-depth review of nine Superfund special accounts, we found that the EPA generally managed special accounts in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and guidance, with the exceptions that the EPA needs to take steps to expeditiously use the funds in the Anniston Lead Superfund Site special account and needs to correct special accounts with negative balances in a timely manner.

Management Information Report – Management and Performance Challenges Facing the Railroad Retirement Board for Fiscal Year 2025