Rash of Recent Texting-Related Crashes Prompts Legislation

In a New York Times article “Steven J. Korotky, a flight instructor, called the uncontrolled Hudson River air traffic corridor a “tunnel,” and a tight one at that. Kenneth Jacobsen, who has flown privately chartered helicopters in New York since 1982, said that while he considered aviation safe

A recent Buffalo News article reported that the President of Pinnalce Airlines admitted that the pilot in this crash should not have flown. The pilot of that plane, Capt. Marvin Renslow, had failed three federal “check rides” before Colgan hired him.

The New York Times reported July 30, 2009 that Charles E. Schumer, along with three other Senators are sponsoring a bill to curb texting while driving. The legislature in New York recently passed such a measure and sent it to the governor for a signature.