Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: James T. Crouse
Profession: Aviation Accident Attorney

Category: Plane Crashes

ABC News reports the FAA have placed two air traffic controllers on administrative leave and has begun disciplinary proceedings following the Hudson River Plane crash last weekend. The investigation found the controller handling the plane was on the phone when the midair took place. His supervisor was the second to be put on leave because he was not in the building as required.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association does not agreed with the FAA's decision, calling the suggestions the controllers were in any way responsible for the midair "absurd" and "insulting."

In what the New York Daily News calls "inappropriate conversations", it reported controller from Teterboro Airport was on the phone with his girlfriend as he guided the plane to the Hudson corridor on another channel. He was still on the phone when he handed off control of the plane to the Newark airport which monitors low flying traffic on the Hudson.

The FAA says it has no reason to believe the employees actions had anything to do with the accident, but cited their behavior as "unacceptable."

An amateur video of the collision shows the two pilots couldn't see each other due to blind spots. Critics are calling for more restrictions for flights in this crowded corridor of the Hudson River.