And the first step must be an end to the FAA’s Designated Representative system.
Might not serve the public interest as well as could appear at first glance. Delegates relieve the authority of having to employ thousands more staff to have the full breath of knowledge and experience, as well as capacity for the workload. By applying the logic that the FAA should not delegate design approval there would seem to be a parallel suggestion that all pilot examiners, and maintenance signatories should also be employees of the FAA. after all, they too issue or renew certificates on behalf of the authority. I'm not saying that the designee system worked perfectly in this case, but unless you want every STC, C of A and pilot license or rating to be issued by an employee of the authority, paying all those staff, and waiting for the service. it is probably better to refine and perhaps oversee the present system more carefully.
Possibly, aircraft were issued a design approval with a flaw, by a designee, and unfortunate crashes can be attributed to that. Has a pilot, who has been issued a license by a designated examiner, ever caused an accident? Has there been a call to return all pilot examinations to staff of the authority?