DC Air Traffic Controller Sleep At The Switch?

2 planes land without clearance at Reagan National as only controller on duty reportedly falls asleep

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By CBS/AP

Story Created: Mar 24, 2011 at 9:09 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 24, 2011 at 9:09 AM AKDT

NTSB is gathering information on the occurrence to decide whether to open a formal investigation, Knudson said.

 

Regional air traffic facilities handle aircraft within roughly a 50 mile radius of an airport, but landings, takeoffs and planes within about three miles of an airport are handled by controllers in the airport tower.

 

The planes involved were American Airlines flight 1012, a Boeing 737 with 91 passengers and 6 crew members on board, and United Airlines flight 628T, an Airbus A320 with 63 passengers and five crew members.

 

"The NTSB is conducting an investigation and we are doing our own review," United spokesman Charles Hobart said in an email.

 

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the agency "is looking into staffing issues and whether existing procedures were followed appropriately."

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TJO said on Tuesday, Apr 19 at 5:26 PM

Controllers should be tested for drugs and alcohol. An expert from New York, Dr. Gelb has discussed the possibility of sleep disorders. Read the blog below: http://www.gelbcenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=54

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