FAA Chief Questions Professionalism In NY Crash

CAROLYN THOMPSON

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The head of the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that a deadly plane crash near Buffalo demonstrated a "complete inattention to basic details" compared with the "textbook greatness" of the safe landing of a jetliner on the Hudson River just weeks earlier.

Administrator Randy Babbitt made the comments Thursday at the annual FAA International Safety Forum in Washington, calling for greater professionalism in the industry as he contrasted the actions of the Buffalo crew with those of Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, pilot in the Hudson landing.

"Whether you have a wrench in your hand, whether you sit at a yoke or carry a clipboard, wear a headset or work in the galley, I'm not seeing consistent professionalism," Babbitt said.

"It's definitely there in the vast majority of the aviation workforce, but it's not uniform throughout the industry," he said in prepared remarks. "The juxtaposition of the tapes from Captain Sully and those from Colgan are proof positive. One is textbook greatness, the other a complete inattention to basic details."

The Continental flight — operated by Pinnacle Airlines Corp. carrier and subsidiary Colgan Air — crashed into a home in suburban Clarence upon approach to Buffalo Niagara International Airport Feb. 12, killing all 49 people on board and the home's owner.