WASHINGTON — Federal Aviation Administration chief Randy Babbitt resigned Tuesday in the wake of his arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated.
“Today I submitted my resignation to Secretary Ray LaHood and it has been accepted,” Babbitt said in a statement, according to FOX News Channel.
“Serving as FAA Administrator has been an absolute honor and the highlight of my professional career. But I am unwilling to let anything cast a shadow on the outstanding work done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by my colleagues at the FAA,” the statement said.
Babbitt, 65, asked to be placed on a leave of absence Monday after his arrest became public.
He was taken into custody Saturday after Fairfax County, Va., police observed him driving on the wrong side of the road. According to a police statement Monday, Babbitt was the only person in the car and cooperated with arresting officers. He was later released on his own recognizance.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier Tuesday that Babbitt’s troubles threatened to derail controversial air-safety initiatives he had been pushing at the agency.
Babbitt — a former airline pilot, union leader and industry consultant — had been focused on tightening rules on how long airline pilots can sit behind controls as well as requiring newly-hired co-pilots to have more hours of flying time.
His departure could also set back the FAA’s efforts to persuade Congress to pass a multi-year reauthorization bill covering the agency, The Journal said.
Deputy FAA administrator Michael Huerta was named acting agency head after Babbit was placed on administrative leave, but The Journal said the Senate is unlikely to confirm a permanent replacement until after next year’s presidential election.