WASHINGTON, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators are

expected to announce a deal on Thursday on aviation safety

legislation after a fatal January collision involving an

American Airlines ( AAL ) regional jet that killed 67 people

spurred calls for reform, sources told Reuters.

Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz, a Republican, and

the panel's top Democrat, Maria Cantwell, are nearing a

bipartisan agreement on legislation requiring aircraft operators

to equip their fleets with an advanced aircraft-tracking

technology known as ADS-B by the end of 2031 and other safety

reforms.

The agreement would clear the way for a bipartisan vote by

the committee next week.