FAA Grounds Pilot of Jetliner for Using Wrong Runway
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WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration revoked the license of an American Airlines pilot after his jetliner, with 152 people aboard, took off from the wrong runway at Mexico City and struck a light pole, the FAA said today.
The plane hit the 27 1/2-foot-high light standard nearly half a mile from the end of the runway, damaging the landing gear, the light pole and a car on the ground in the March 29 mishap. Flight 42 continued to Dallas, where it landed with a blown tire, the FAA said.
Capt. Anthony Kowalski, of Ormond Beach, Fla., will not be allowed to pilot an airliner unless he is recertified by the FAA, but he could be a co-pilot.
An FAA spokesman said Kowalski had takeoff data and clearance for one runway but took off from the one next to it, which was shorter. The spokesman said it was not known why Kowalski took off from the wrong runway.
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