Babbitt: "We Are Conducting A Top-To-Bottom Review"

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has accepted the resignation of Hank Krakowski, who has served as the head of the agency's Air Traffic Organization. The move follows a growing number of incidents in which controllers have been caught or admitted sleeping while on the job on overnight shifts in control towers.

"Over the last few weeks we have seen examples of unprofessional conduct on the part of a few individuals that have rightly caused the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their safety," Babbitt said in a statement announcing the resignation. "This conduct must stop immediately. I am committed to maintaining the highest level of public confidence and that begins with strong leadership.

"This morning (Thursday) I met with the head of our Air Traffic Organization, the part of the Federal Aviation Administration charged with operating our air traffic control system. Hank Krakowski has submitted his resignation and I have accepted it. Hank is a dedicated aviation professional and I thank him for his service. Starting today, I have asked David Grizzle, FAA's chief counsel, to assume the role of acting ATO chief operating officer while we conduct a nationwide search to permanently fill the position.

"We are conducting a top to bottom review of the way we operate our air traffic control system. We are all responsible and accountable for safety-from senior FAA leadership to the controller in the tower. Employees at the FAA work diligently every day to run the safest air transportation system in the world. But I will continue to make whatever changes are necessary to ensure we concentrate on keeping the traveling public safe."

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