Two New York-based pilots involved in a midair collision over the Amazon that killed all 154 people aboard a commercial jetliner should be permitted to leave Brazil during an investigation into the disaster, a U.S. Congressman said Monday.
U.S. Representative Peter King, a New York Republican, met with the pilots' Miami-based attorney, Robert Torricella, and said he would be writing a second letter to the Department of State urging it to remain "actively involved" in the effort to bring the men back to the United States.
Joseph Lepore, 42, and Jan Paladino, 34, have spent more than two months in a Rio de Janeiro hotel while Brazilian officials investigate their possible role in the September collision of their small plane and the jetliner. Brazilian authorities have seized the men's passports, and while the men are not under arrest, they have chosen to remain in their hotel.
The pilots contend they were cleared by controllers to fly at 37,000 feet (11,100 meters), the altitude at which the collision occurred with Flight 1907, operated by Brazilian carrier Gol airlines.
None of the seven people aboard the pilots' jet was injured.
Twice last month, a Brazilian judge refused to return the men's passports, and a Brazilian Air Force spokesman said an investigation into the crash could take another 10 months.
Brazilian prosecutors said they could charge the pilots with involuntary manslaughter if they are found responsible for the crash. The men have denied any wrongdoing.
"It's clear no law was violated," King said in a telephone interview. "I believe it is wrong for Brazil to be holding them. They should be allowed to return. All evidence shows they acted appropriately."
Torricella did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment Monday.
King said another hearing on the pilots' status was expected to be held Tuesday in Brazil.
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