FAA investigating reports that young child was allowed to direct flights into JFK
The FAA is looking into reports of a child directing air traffic at New York’s JFK airport; a child’s voice is heard giving instructions to at least three pilots
Officials believe the youngster was with a parent at working at the airport’s air traffic control center, last month during a school holiday. The air traffic controller apparently allowed the child to speak to pilots of at least three airlines, including a JetBlue flight departing from JFK.
In one exchange, the child’s voice was heard to say, “JetBlue 171 contact departure” and the pilot responded, “Over to departure, JetBlue 171, awesome job.”
The FAA believes the child was under an adult’s supervision, because a male voice followed and said, with a laugh, “That’s what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school.”
Officials say three air traffic controllers have been suspended pending a further investigation. The incident happened in mid-February during the weeklong winter break for many New York schoolchildren.
