Anthony J. “Tony” Broderick, a long-time and widely recognized safety executive at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and later an industry consultant on safety matters, died Dec. 20 in Bealeton, Virginia, after a long illness. He was 75.
Broderick joined FAA in 1976, and two years later, he joined the agency’s regulation and certification organization, which developed and enforced all U.S. aviation safety standards.
Until his retirement from FAA in 1996, in the aftermath of the fatal ValuJet Flight 592 accident, he played roles in several major regulatory initiatives, including developing international audit standards for civil aviation agencies, and developing standards for safe operation of twin-engine airliners over oceans and the polar regions. He also served as one of FAA’s primary liaisons with other agencies and testified on behalf of FAA at many congressional hearings on a range of aviation issues.
He retired from government service as associate administrator of regulation and certification.
Broderick later served as a technical adviser to several companies, including Airbus, Atlas Air and FedEx. He retired in 2014.
Broderick received several awards during his career, including, in 1996, the Aviation Week & Space Technology — Flight Safety Foundation Distinguished Service Award for career excellence, as well as the Air Traffic Control Association individual achievement award.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; children Sean and Pia; two grandchildren; and two sisters.
Arrangements for a public remembrance are being made and will be announced by the family.
Those wishing to express their condolences and appreciation for Broderick’s life are encouraged to provide a donation to Blue Ridge Christian Home, 7034 Catlett Road, Bealeton, Virginia 22712, U.S., or a memorial donation in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/donate.