Fri, Aug 14, 2009
Controller And Supervisor Likely To Be Fired
Investigations by NTSB and FAA show
that the Teterboro Airport Air Traffic Controller was on the phone
with his girlfriend at the time of Saturday's mid-air collision
over the Hudson River. Both he and his supervisor, who was unable
to be located at the time of the accident, have been suspended. FAA
officials say they will likely be fired.
Both people, who have not been identified, seriously deviated
from their assignments, according to investigators. While it is not
believed that the controllers phone conversation had any bearing on
the accident, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said the controllers
actions were "unacceptable", according to the New York Daily
News.
Audio recordings from the tower revealed the phone conversation.
"In conjunction with the FAA's participation with the NTSB's
inquiry into the recent Hudson River accident, we learned that the
controller handling the Piper flight was involved in apparently
inappropriate conversations on the telephone at the time of the
accident," FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said. "We also learned
that the supervisor was not present in the building as
required. We respect the NTSB's authority in determining the cause
of the accident and will continue to work closely with NTSB
investigators," Babbitt added.
The preliminary investigation also indicates the controller gave
the pilot of the fixed-wing aircraft the proper frequency for
contacting Newark International Airport, and followed the correct
hand-off procedure. The pilot never contacted Newark.
ANN Realtime Update August 14 0820: NATCA
released the following statement in response to the Federal
Aviation Administration's announcement regarding investigations
into the Aug. 8 Hudson River mid-air collision.
"We support that any such allegation is fully investigated
before there is a rush to judgment about the behavior of any
controller."
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