4 Mar 2010

Child 'directed air traffic' at JFK airport

12:48 pm on 4 March 2010

Officials in the United States are investigating why a child was apparently allowed to direct air traffic at New York's JFK airport - one of the country's busiest.

In recordings posted on a website for plane spotters, the child can be heard clearing planes for take-off, the BBC reports.

The pilots on the tape appear to be not concerned that a child is giving them instructions.

The boy was apparently with his father - a certified air traffic controller.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement the behaviour was not acceptable and the employees "are not controlling air traffic" while an invesigation in carried out.