The Federal Aviation Administration has revoked the licenses of the two Northwest Airlines pilots who overflew their destination airport on Oct. 21 while operating Flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis.
The pilots were out of contact with air traffic controllers for an extended period of time and told federal investigators that they were distracted by a conversation, the FAA said.
The pilots told the National Transportation Safety Board that they were using their personal laptops in the cockpit and discussing scheduling.
The FAA said air traffic controllers and airline officials repeatedly tried to reach them through radio and data contact, without success.
The revocations cite violations of federal aviation regulations, including failing to comply with air traffic control instructions and clearances and operating carelessly and recklessly.
The pilots have 10 days to appeal the emergency revocations to the National Transportation Safety Board.