NATIONAL BRIEFING / NEW YORK

The Federal Aviation Administration suspended an air traffic controller who it says was involved in “apparently inappropriate” telephone conversations during last week’s deadly collision over the Hudson River. A supervisor who was out of the building at the time was also suspended. Air traffic controllers are expected to be alert at all times while on duty and are given regular breaks. The FAA has begun disciplinary proceedings.

But the FAA said there was no reason to believe the employees’ actions contributed to the crash. Nine people died when a small plane collided with a tour helicopter Saturday. The controller, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, had been handling the plane.