Conversation With ATC Was Odd, At Times Disjointed

A 24-year-old pilot who landed the Piper PA-28 he was flying on Rockaway Beach just south of Kennedy airport Monday night could have his license revoked. 

The pilot, Jason Maloney, is a medical student at Georgetown University in Washington. He had taken of from Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Long Island, and a somewhat bizarre exchange with ATC followed.

The exchange, which was recorded by liveatc.net, grew more odd as it progressed. First, he reportedly requested a landing at Kennedy Airport to drop off "a pastor doing medical missionary work." That request was denied.

Maloney then asked if he was allowed to land on the beach. The controller said "only in an emergency," because the beaches were public. Maloney then asked if the controller knew of any private beaches nearby. "Not in the city," the controller surmised. He was advised to stay at or below 500 feet to remain in uncontrolled airspace, to which he replied "we're going to go a little bit lower."

But then, he said one of his passengers was sick, and that his engine was "running a little teensy teensy bit rough" and that while he was not going to declare an emergency, he was going to land on the beach. The controller advised him that "that would be an emergency," and "that will be at your own risk, not visible from the tower." When asked if he needed any assistance, Maloney replied "Nah .... you know what, we should be fine, but we're gonna make a precautionary landing. Is that all right with you?"

Maloney landed the airplane safely, and while none of the persons on board required hospitalization, the New York Daily News reported that one, Chelsea Protter of Huntington NY, threw up after the landing. She told the paper that she was "feeling nauseous." The airplane, which belongs to a company called "Plane Nonsense", had to be dragged out of the surf by a truck. The wings were detached, and it was loaded onto another truck to be taken to Boston. The London Daily Mail reports that after the landing, Maloney asked what all the fuss was about, as that kind of incident "happens in Alaska all the time."

Maloney was not tested for drugs or alcohol at the scene and reportedly did not appear intoxicated. He was barred from talking to the media by his parents, and about 24 hours after the landing he was taken from their home to the hospital after reportedly experiencing seizures. The FAA is investigating the incident, and Maloney could face fines or loss of pilot privileges due to is actions. No criminal charges have been filed.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov