|
Comair Flight 5191 Crash Reveals Dangerous Tension That Puts Air Travelers At Risk.
July 25, 2007
New York — The pilots of Comair Flight 5191 made multiple errors that ultimately caused the crash that killed 49 people last August, but the NTSB probable cause hearing today in Washington also reveals a relationship between air traffic controllers and the FAA so toxic that it threatens air safety in general, according to Marc Moller, an aviation attorney with the New York law firm Kreindler & Kreindler. Mr. Moller represents the family of George Brunacini who died in the crash.
Comair pilots took off on the wrong runway at Lexington's Bluegrass Airport on August 27, 2006 after failing to observe proper operating procedures. The length of the shorter runway was insufficient and the plane crashed into a field and erupted in flames.
The lone air traffic controller on duty did not notice the plane lined up on the wrong runway. Despite a management memo requiring two controllers at the airport tower, there was only one assigned to the overnight shift.
"The tension that exists between controllers and FAA management has reached a critical point. Between the breakdown in that relationship, staff shortages and funding issues at the agency, air safety is being compromised," Mr. Moller said. "It is my hope that the Comair tragedy is not dismissed as an accident attributable solely to pilot error, but that these more subtle and insidious contributing factors be addressed. George Brunacini and the others who died last year deserve this at minimum."
New Mexico real estate developer George Brunacini was a 60-year old father and grandfather, who was actively engaged in real estate development projects in New Mexico, and had a passion for horses. He was returning home from a trip to Lexington on Comair Flight 5191. George Brunacini's son Angelo and Mr. Moller are available to speak to reporters.
Kreindler & Kreindler is a New York-based aviation law firm. Many of the lawyers are pilots or engineers. Kreindler & Kreindler has been retained in nearly every major aviation disaster in the United States and many overseas as well.
Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, Tradition of Excellence, New York, New Jersey, Boston, Los Angeles.
|
