NTSB summer intern blamed for ‘confirming’ joke names of Asiana Airlines pilots

Twitchy ^ | 07/12/2013 | Twitchy staff

[Rusty0604]

How could KTVU get something so wrong? The San Francisco TV station was the joke of the Internet today when it fell for a prank and broadcast the “names” of the four pilots on Asiana Air Flight 214. You’d think names like “Captain Sum Ting Wong” and “Wi Tu Lo” would have raised a red flag or two, but the station insisted it had verified the names with the National Transportation Safety Board.

It turns out that might be true. ABC News’ Steven Portnoy is reporting that an NTSB summer intern is responsible for confirming the obviously fake names.

[Rusty0604]

I take it as arrogant and demeaning. And these are the same people that mock slow talking Texans.

[Celtic Conservative]

Reminds me of a sign outside a wedding hall:

"Congratulations Mr. and Mrs Frank Sippi!"

That's right folks, her married name was Mrs.Sippi (if you don't get it, say her name out loud)

CC

[fella]

Our government loves interns (just ask Klintoon) they are free labor but remember you get what you pay for.

[cicero2k]

Here’s the difference. If I say “Chink in the armor” I lose my career.

If a station allows “Wi Tu Lo” broadcast, what is the recourse?

There isn’t any. What controversy would ever get a station off the air?

[Rebelbase]

“Has anyone seen Mike Hunt?”

[DuncanWaring]

“Mahlexa Krost and Ihav Tapee”.

[Eccl 10:2]

During the first day of news coverage, one news channel had a conversation on what to call the NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman. One said “Chairwoman” and then a reporter said “I know her, she prefers to be called a Chairman...” Another channel called her a Chairwoman and a third “Chairperson...” That was the only comic relief regarding this crash....until this latest entry.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Deborah Himsman?

Deborah Itsman?

Pat?

[Kevin in California]

My favorite name from the Lamont and Tonelli radio show is ‘Howie Feltersnatch

[Ditter]

There used to be a liquor store in Santa Fe NM named Peter Handler Liquor in large letters over the store. I always thought it was a joke name but then I saw a picture in the SF newspaper of Peter himself.

[windsorknot]

LOL! That reminds me of the Three Stooges Law Firm: Dewey, Cheatam, & Howe.

[Roccus]

Makes the person at the station look incredibly stupid

Naaahh.....that person at the station accomplished that all by their lonesome.

[Roccus]

So it was just a Former Rogue Low Level NTSB Summer Intern that gave the confirmation?

Yeah...something about something flowing downhill....

[Safetgiver]

“Would Ima Dick please report to the front desk?”

[WKB]

No one has mentioned Seymore Butts, the famous writer on board who hid under seats..

[JPG]

Mike Hunt has been involved in many a prank, too.

[HangnJudge]

Reminds me of the Dicken's Cider routine
Maternity Shirt...

[windsorknot]

Yes. Mike Hunt really gets around.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

What about Eileen Dover and her brother Ben?

[Travis McGee]

[Mr. Jeeves]

Anyone with the slightest familiarity with Asian names (and in the San Francisco Bay Area, that should be just about 100% of the population) would have seen right through this prank immediately - certainly long before they got read on the air. I don't blame the NTSB intern - the individual probably thought the TV station was pulling a prank on him so he or she went along with it.

Either KTVU hires monumental idiots, or the staff got the joke but thought management had approved telling it on air.