Mar 31, 2008 9:37 pm US/Eastern
Local Air Traffic Controller To Be Honored
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Tuesday in Chicago, the air traffic controllers association will recognize 12 controllers, including Rivero for averting disaster.
CBS
A local air traffic controller will be recognized for averting a mid-air collision. It happened a little over a year ago, when a pilot suddenly changed direction, heading straight for another plane.
David Rivero, was working the radar scopes when a plane suddenly changed direction on December 7, 2006. Rivero said the pilot was flying without radio contact and headed straight to another plane. That's when Rivero acted quickly radioing the pilot.
In his 22-year-old career Rivero said moments like that are rare.
"I'm thinking I hope the guy sees the airplane," explained Rivero. In which he did.
Moments after, the pilot watched the other plane pass underneath him, then radios Rivero.
"Ok I'm heading back down," said the pilot. "Thanks for that, I would have hit him."'
Rivero said, "If I didn't call that traffic, he said he would have hit him. It would have been a mid-air collision."
Tuesday in Chicago, the air traffic controllers association will recognize 12 controllers, including Rivero for averting disaster.
Rivero and his family is proud of his accomplishment.
"It gives you a sense of accomplishment," said Rivero. "Obviously your doing the job for a purpose, a safety purpose which is important."
Rivero says he's had close calls like that one about half a dozen times in his life. He said if it had been any other controller in the seat they would have acted appropriately, but he just happen to be there on that day.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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