US officials are investigating how a child was apparently allowed to direct planes at New York’s JFK airport – one of the country’s busiest.
The probe comes after an audiotape caught the boy directing several pilots preparing for take-off last month.
In one exchange, the boy is heard saying: “JetBlue 171 contact departure.” The pilot responds: “Over to departure JetBlue 171, awesome job.”
The child – whose age is unknown – was reportedly under adult supervision.
The adult was apparently his father – a certified air traffic controller.
The adult is later heard saying with a laugh: “That’s what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school.”
The incident happened on 17 February, when many New York pupils were on a week-long break.The names of the child and the adult on the audiotape were not immediately known.
‘Not indicative’ incident
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement: “Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air traffic.”This behaviour is not acceptable and does not demonstrate the kind of professionalism expected from all FAA employees.”
The agency did not give any further details.