FAA Supervisor Destroyed 9/11 Interview With Controllers

It was recorded as a tool for FBI investigators tracking down the 9/11 plot -- an audio tape featuring six of the ATC workers who handled the hijacked flights that plowed into the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.

But the tape was never turned over to the FBI and an FAA manager later destroyed it.

A report by the Department of Transportation's Inspector General says an FAA manager decided to debrief the six controllers on tape just hours after the disastrous attacks. But a different manager later crushed the tape in his hand, cut it up into tiny pieces and spread the refuse over several trash cans.

The Washington Post reports the DOT IG investigation was originally set to determine whether the FAA had fully cooperated with the 9/11 Commission's investigation into the terror attacks.

"The destruction of evidence in the Government's possession, in this case an audiotape -- particularly during times of national crisis -- has the effect of fostering an appearance that information is being withheld from the public," the report said.

The FAA is in damage control mode. The Post identified the manager who destroyed the tape as Kevin Delaney. The paper said he's been suspended for 20-days without pay and is appealing the decision.

The FAA also issued a statement, saying it's turned over thousands of documents to the 9/11 commission. As for the tape in question, "We believe the audiotape in question appears to be consistent with written statements and other materials provided to FBI investigators and would not have added in any significant way to the information contained in what has already been provided to investigators and members of the 9/11 commission," said FAA spokesman Greg Martin.

FMI: www.faa.gov