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FAA revokes licenses of Northwest pilots

October 27, 2009

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.

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#14November 06, 2009
We may never know what really happened in the cockpit. I suspect after they reacquired situational awareness, a discussion ensued concerning "their story", what would get them in the least trouble, be the easiest to keep straight and pass off as likely. I also question the class-action being appropriate. Someting to ponder, especially for the ex-pilots; on occasion some judges use most creative, non-traditional sentencing. How about serving time in "The Stocks", in the main terminals of SAN and MSP, for one minute, for each man hour that they delayed passenger and the time spent by all ground personal including NWA, Air Traffic Controllers, and the combined homeland security forces involved, and pay restitution to their employer for the use of one jet borrowed for a joy ride. Unlikely yes, but it would eliminate any reoccurances.
#13October 29, 2009
Pilots need to give 100 % in the flight deck at all times,routine discussions need to be done on the ground,This is a very serious breach of trust to the passengers .For the future all conversations need to be recorded during the whole flight,Cameras also need to be installed.
#12October 28, 2009
I think they also should have had their two lap tops taken into to custody as well,by the NTSB, or the FBI. One year is fine let them re file to get the ok to fly again after a year and see if someone will hire them
#11October 28, 2009
I hope they don't appeal. Makes you wonder what they were looking at on their laptops.
#10October 28, 2009
A class action law suit against the airline isn't warranted. Criminal charges against the pilots for reckless endangerment of the passengers and crew is. Hopefully, those 2 will never fly a plane again. If it's illegal to drive talking on a cell phone and you can get a ticket or lose your driver's license, certainly this should be a much more serious offense than just losing your license to fly.
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