What factors determine whether the United States can be held liable for actions of FAA Designees?

The determination of whether the United States can be held liable for the actions of FAA designees primarily revolves around the employment status of those individuals. If FAA designees are considered federal employees, the government may be held liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the actions of their employees performed within the scope of their employment. This concept is grounded in the idea that when federal employees act negligently or otherwise cause harm while performing their duties, the government may be held accountable for those actions.

In contrast, if FAA designees are not classified as federal employees, they might not be acting within the scope of employment, which would typically limit the government's liability. This means the key factor hinges on the employment status rather than other aspects of their duties, such as training, supervision, adherence to FAA guidelines, or reporting violations.

For instance, while training or supervision may influence the overall effectiveness of safety practices, they do not directly impact liability unless the actions are executed by federal employees. Similarly, following FAA guidelines or reporting violations might relate to regulatory compliance but do not necessarily inform the question of legal liability in the context of employment. Thus, the classification of designees as federal employees is crucial in determining the extent of governmental