An Evaluation Task Force Has Already Been Formed

Following last week's mid-air collision between a sightseeing helicopter and a private airplane over the Hudson River, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said the agency would look into new rules governing low-altitude flight in the congested corridor. The Associated Press reports that the FAA has already sent out a list of several recommendations for pilots transiting the corridor.

Babbitt made the remarks after touring the FAA Technical Center at Atlantic City International Airport. 

Among the recommendations are turning on aircraft lights, proper communication techniques, and keeping speed under 140 knots. Babbitt said that if the pilots of the two aircraft had been in communication with one another, the accident might have been prevented. "They were given traffic alerts," he said. "However, neither of the pilots was on the frequencies."

Babbitt reiterated the the FAA will cooperate with NTSB in the investigation of the accident. He said while any NTSB recommendations will be taken into consideration, the FAA will institute rule changes whenever they are deemed necessary.

FMI: www.faa.gov