After a midair crash in Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people, government and industry officials are at odds over a potential $50,000 safety fix for planes.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended that planes be equipped with technology allowing pilots to see other aircraft on cockpit screens, which could have helped prevent the crash.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford expressed support for the technology, but said the agency wouldn't impose a mandate without Congressional action.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called the FAA's response 'F— you' to the NTSB's recommendations, leading to a tense exchange between the two officials.
The FAA and NTSB have met to discuss the safety recommendations, but the issue remains contentious, with some airlines already installing the technology and others concerned about the cost and time it may take to retrofit fleets.
Congress is also wrangling over mandating the cockpit-system technology, with competing bills in the Senate and House.
