- A former FAA employee has been sentenced to two years probation and a $ 5,000 fine.
- Joelyn DeCosta is charged with ‘malicious interference’ with air traffic communications.
- Her actions led to an eclipse for communication while at least ten planes were in the air, the DoJ said.
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A former employee of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was sentenced to two years probation and a fine of $ 5,000 for interfering with communications between air traffic control and multiple aircraft.
A federal judge has sentenced Joelyn DeCosta, 48, for “intentional and malicious interference” with air traffic in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The actions of DeCosta caused a blackout of communications while at least ten planes were in the air, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) said in a press release.
On one occasion, the main and standby lines of communication between air traffic control and about six aircraft were broken, the statement said.
A second incident resulted in four other aircraft being affected by interruptions, the DoJ added.
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According to the press release, pilots could not hear directions from Air Traffic Control for a total of two minutes.
A pilot, speaking during sentencing, said 40 passengers in his plane were put in serious danger by the interruptions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office takes any threat to the safety of the airline public very seriously and will vigorously enforce federal criminal laws against any federal employee who abuses their position and thus obstructs air travelers,” said U.S. Attorney for Hawaii Kenji District M. Price.
DeCosta has been working for the FAA for 26 years before the incidents.
She agreed to resign her job as a specialist in airway transport systems before sentencing as part of a plea agreement.
As a result, DeCosta lost its retirement benefits – which, according to the DoJ, were worth more than $ 500,000.