Rhino
05-09-2007, 12:33 PM
Air controllers call for criminal investigation
Eyewitness News Exclusive
(New York - WABC, May 3, 2007) - The air traffic controllers who were exposed to that carbon monoxide now want a criminal investigation into why they weren't allowed to leave their control center, even though they were dizzy and disoriented -- and trying to direct hundreds of planes.
Eyewitness News reporter NJ Burkett broke the story Wednesday, and has new developments.
If there is a criminal investigation, and there may be, the FAA is promising to cooperate. Now, Senator Chuck Schumer is demanding answers. The question is, why were the controllers forced to continue directing planes while suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Air traffic controllers brought their allegations directly to the Nassau County district attorney this morning, urging prosecutors to open a criminal investigation.
"It just seemed harder and harder to stay awake," said controller Ray Maldonado.
Controllers told us they were so sickened they could barely function, but were forced to remain on their positions for up to four hours directing large commercial jets from the FAA's air traffic control center known as TRACON.
"It slowly started to feel worse and worse," air traffic controller John Conklin said.
"I remember just being extremely fatigued ... very sleepy. It took a lot to stay awake," Maldonado said.
Eyewitness news reported last night that a test of the facility's backup generator sent exhaust fumes into the building's ventilation system, slowly filling the room with potentially-deadly carbon monoxide. Soon, at least half-a-dozen controllers were physically ill.
But the FAA:
Refused to let the controllers leave
Refused to call the fire department to take air readings
Threatened to prevent firefighters from entering the facility, if anyone else called them.
.....http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5271014
Eyewitness News Exclusive
(New York - WABC, May 3, 2007) - The air traffic controllers who were exposed to that carbon monoxide now want a criminal investigation into why they weren't allowed to leave their control center, even though they were dizzy and disoriented -- and trying to direct hundreds of planes.
Eyewitness News reporter NJ Burkett broke the story Wednesday, and has new developments.
If there is a criminal investigation, and there may be, the FAA is promising to cooperate. Now, Senator Chuck Schumer is demanding answers. The question is, why were the controllers forced to continue directing planes while suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Air traffic controllers brought their allegations directly to the Nassau County district attorney this morning, urging prosecutors to open a criminal investigation.
"It just seemed harder and harder to stay awake," said controller Ray Maldonado.
Controllers told us they were so sickened they could barely function, but were forced to remain on their positions for up to four hours directing large commercial jets from the FAA's air traffic control center known as TRACON.
"It slowly started to feel worse and worse," air traffic controller John Conklin said.
"I remember just being extremely fatigued ... very sleepy. It took a lot to stay awake," Maldonado said.
Eyewitness news reported last night that a test of the facility's backup generator sent exhaust fumes into the building's ventilation system, slowly filling the room with potentially-deadly carbon monoxide. Soon, at least half-a-dozen controllers were physically ill.
But the FAA:
Refused to let the controllers leave
Refused to call the fire department to take air readings
Threatened to prevent firefighters from entering the facility, if anyone else called them.
.....http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5271014