Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video Shows Collision Over Hudson River; Teterboro Air Traffic Controller, Supervisor Suspended
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 14, 2009
Modified Aug 14, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 14, 2009
Modified Aug 14, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New footage from a tourist on a Circle Line cruise showing last Saturday's collision between a small plane and a sightseeing helicopter was released tonight, just as the FAA announced that the air traffic controller and his supervisor at Teterboro Airport in NJ were suspended. Apparently the air traffic controller was on the phone with his girlfriend while handling the small plane's flight and his supervisor had left the room. The FAA said, in a statement, "We learned that the controller handling the Piper flight was involved in apparently inappropriate conversations on the telephone at the time of the accident... We also learned that the supervisor was not present in the building as required."
Nine people—three in the small plane and six in the helicopter—were killed. The Post says the National Transportation Safety Board "learned of the conversation while listening to tapes of Teterboro control tower." Still, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said, "We have no reason to believe at this time that these actions contributed to the accident." He added that the two employees were placed on "administrative leave" and the FAA has "begun disciplinary proceedings"; many think they will be fired. The Daily News notes that transcripts show "no problems in the exchange between controllers at the New Jersey airport and the plane's pilot, Steven Altman"—who picked the route down the Hudson— and that "NTSB chairwoman Debbie Hersman has said the controller told Altman to switch his radio over to the Newark tower - and gave the correct frequency - but Newark never made contact."
As for the video, it was taken by an Italian tourist who was trying out a new video camera. The plane appears to be turning when its wing is clipped by the helicopter's blades.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Babbitt also said today that the FAA is considering new safety regulations over the Hudson River, something that local officials have been demanding.
Tagged
crash
faa
helicopter
Hudson Air collision
hudson river
ntsb
small plane
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC delivery workers fear e-bike bills would bring more police stops, racial profiling
The City Council held a marathon hearing on Wednesday over a slate of proposals to rein in New York's growing ecosystem of e-bikes.
By
Carol Chen
Published Sep 30, 2026 at 5:31 p.m. ET
Fake QR codes on Manhattan parking meters lead to identity theft charges
Prosecutors haven't said how many people entered their card numbers or whether anyone lost money. A 39-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
By
Charles Lane
News
Fake QR codes on Manhattan parking meters lead to identity theft charges
Prosecutors haven't said how many people entered their card numbers or whether anyone lost money. A 39-year-old man pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
By
Charles Lane
Fare hike for NYC Ferry going into effect next month
By
Elizabeth Kim
Mayor Zohran Mamdani finally gets his federal security clearance
By
Elizabeth Kim
Lawyer suing to block NYC rent freeze tried swaying previous board vote, ex-chair says
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .