AURORA, Ill. (AP) — The head of the Federal Aviation Administration and lawmakers say they were shocked by the extent of damage to telecommunications equipment at a sabotaged Chicago-area air traffic facility.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and members of Illinois’ congressional delegation saw the damage and the recovery efforts firsthand Friday in a tour of the facility in Aurora.
Authorities say a contract employee used gasoline to set fire to a basement telecommunications room on Sept. 26, taking out equipment that forced the shutdown of Chicago’s two airports forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights.
Lawmakers pressed for an investigation, but also say more money is needed for better backup systems.
The FAA says it’s conducting a full review.
Huerta says he hopes to return the facility to full service by Oct. 13.
