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US Probe: Controller Missed Pilot Error in Hudson River Midair Collision

   Olcay Rached 28 April 2010
   The  wreckage of a helicopter is lifted by crane from the Hudson River
   and placed on a boat as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey (File Photo - 09
   Aug 2009)

Photo: AP

   The  wreckage of a helicopter is lifted by crane from the Hudson River
   and placed on a boat as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey (File Photo - 09
   Aug 2009)

   A U.S. government probe into the deadly 2009 midair collision near New
   York City says an air traffic controller missed a key pilot error just
   before the accident.

   The  National Transportation Safety Board released documents Wednesday
   showing  a  controller at the Teterboro Airport in New Jersey had been
   in  contact  with the pilot of a small plane involved in the August 8,
   2009 crash.

   The  report  found  that  the controller was also monitoring two other
   conversations  - including a personal phone call - at the time and did
   not  hear  the  pilot  incorrectly  repeat  a  radio frequency for the
   control tower at the airport.

   Shortly  after,  the  plane collided with a sightseeing helicopter and
   both  aircraft  plunged into the Hudson River. Nine people onboard the
   two aircraft were killed.

   Five  Italian  tourists  plus  the  pilot  were on the helicopter. Two
   passengers and a pilot were in the single-engine plane.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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