Divers battle tough conditions in Hudson

(NECN/ABC) – Divers were back in the Hudson River on Monday, with their first priority being to recover the bodies of the two remaining victims of the air collision that killed nine people Saturday. Recovery teams were also hoping to retrieve the plane. The helicopter involved in the collision was lifted from the Hudson on Sunday. Officials believe the plane is approximately in 50 feet of water. The helicopter ride was supposed to be a brief 12 minute tour, but, shortly after takeoff, it was struck from behind by the Piper aircraft. Both aircrafts split apart and fell into the river. The nine victims included the plane’s pilot, his brother and nephew. And in the helicopter, the pilot, and five Italian tourists, a couple and their teenager, and another man celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary and his son. His wife was too nervous to fly. Both aircraft were flying along the Hudson River below 1,100 feet — a corridor where they are allowed to navigate visually, without clearance from air traffic controllers. Investigators believed the plane was climbing and making a right turn when it collided with the tour helicopter. A 25-year-veteran flyer said pilots are required to watch out for other aircraft. But many aviation experts said there are blind spots: plane pilots cannot see what is below and helicopter pilots cannot see above and behind. Many feel the rules need to change. “When we say, ‘OK guys be careful out there and see and avoid each other’ that’s fine sometime you can’t do it and it’s time we move on from that concept and use electronics and procedure to breach the gap,” ABC’s News aviation consultant John Nance told Good Morning Live. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, New York.