New York Governor George Pataki on Thursday (Oct 12th) called for tighter rules for small planes flying at low altitude around Manhattan, a day after a light plane crashed into an apartment building on the Upper East Side of the island.

"It's just unfathomable that five years after Sept. 11th, an inexperienced pilot can be circling the city and not under the control of any of the radar towers of the airports around the city," said Pataki.

Immediately after the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) placed a temporary flight restriction on all flights flying around the city under 1,500 feet, but it has since lifted that restriction.

Pataki said that while he welcomed the temporary flight restriction, he believed that more needed to be done.

"I am formally requesting that they leave these restrictions in full effect while they, in cooperation with Homeland Security officials, undertake a comprehensive review of all the rules," the governor said in a statement.

On Wednesday a small plane crashed into a high-rise apartment building, killing two people on board, and sparking alarm among New Yorkers and federal authorities, with stunned witnesses immediately fearing a repeat of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Questions have been raised over how a plane managed to get so close to Manhattan without triggering alarm earlier.

However, current rules allow pilots of light aircraft to use a narrow air corridor up the east side of Manhattan within certain altitude limits.

The governor is calling for a complete review of FAA and Homeland Security procedures regarding flight restrictions and travel around New York City.

Editor: Donald