FAA Head Resigns: Federal aviation officials announce new safety guidelines

Following reports of numerous air traffic controllers falling asleep on the job, the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Air Traffic Organization (ATO) chief operating officer, Hank Krakowski, has resigned. The FAA's chief counsel, David Grizzle, will serve as the ATO chief operating officer until the position can be permanently filled.

According to reports, there have already been five instances since January during which a controller fell asleep while on duty, and Krakowski's resignation comes just one day after federal officials announced that they would be "revamping air traffic control guidelines" and would now be requiring more than one controller on duty during overnight shifts.

Commenting on these recent developments, Motley Rice aviation attorney and former Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo told MSNBC, "The scheduling system needs to be scrutinized ... we need to make sure there's accountability, and that's what happened today."

Hear more from Mary Schiavo on WCBS- NY Radio and WTOP-DC Radio.

Read more about how Motley Rice aviation lawyers work to protect passengers and the safety and security of the traveling public.