The FAA investigated and sent Cardone a letter after the story received widespread media attention. The video shows a flock of birds hitting the right engine, causing it to shut down.

“We have given consideration to all of the facts. In lieu of legal enforcement action (a civil penalty), we are issuing this letter which will be made a matter of record for a period of two years, after which, the record will be expunged,” James Giles, FAA supervisory principal operations inspector, wrote in a letter to Cardone. . . . The FAA points out that Delta follows regulations when flight attendants say, “for safety reasons, mobile phones and other electronic devices must be turned off and stowed until you are notified by your crew.” The FAA told Cardone, “Your failure to comply during a critical phase of flight and an aircraft emergency could have affected the safe outcome of the flight.”

This is why I never upload any of the photos or videos that may get me in trouble (such as a great video of landing at LaGuardia Airport with stellar views of Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens).