Hudson airspace split after fatal crash

KIWI PILOT: Jeremy Clark was killed when the helicopter he was flying was involved in a mid-air collision with a plane over New York. The picture was taken by Olympic swimmer Dara Torres, who flew with Jeremy Clark the week before the accident.

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US authorities will divide the airspace over the Hudson River into separate areas, following a fatal mid-air crash between a helicopter, piloted by a New Zealander, and a small plane.

Nine people, including New Zealander Jeremy Clark and five Italian tourists, were killed in the August 8 accident over the Hudson River in New York.

The Hudson airspace will now be section into two zones, one for local planes and helicopters and the other for those passing through on their way to other destinations.

Federal Aviation Administration head Randy Babbitt says the air traffic controller and supervisor on duty at the airport where the crashed plane took off have been fired.

The changes take effect from Thursday.

- AP