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NTSB investigating sleeping air traffic controller
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal safety officials are investigating a report that two planes landed at Reagan National Airport without control tower clearance because the air traffic controller was asleep. A . . . (flightaware.com) More...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Let's assume the those pilots were right in considering the filed uncontrolled. Then the question is: can an IFR flight land into an uncontrolled airfiled?
There are a lot of good comments here both Pro and Con, but the bottom line is this: The controller on duty was going into nite #4 of a standard 8 hr shift, not a split shift.Chances are he would have had one more night which would have been 40 hours. A lot of folks don't like shift work but people have done it for years. As one comment above, split and changing shifts are no good, but this doesn't appear to be the case here. It appears that he did something during the day and didn't rest. Regardless of all the other ills surrounding ATC and the FAA, they don't seem to be a factor here.
"...typically has four to five scheduled landings between midnight and 6 a.m. plus a few unscheduled takeoffs or landings." Why have the tower open anyway? Either leave it open uncontrolled, or close the airport. Don't scream security, because anyone could still fly into the prohibited areas. Why should the taxpayers pay for only 4-5 flights. Reagan National was supposed to be closed when Dulles was built (ala Love field and DFW) But the Capital Hill weenies cried that it was too far to drive. Funny that they expected the public to drive out to Dulles. As a major airline pilot I've flown into quite a few un-controlled airports. When we've been late, I've also had ATC tell me "... towers closing in 20 minutes. You're on your own after that." In once case the field was CAT II, which required a manned tower. If we didn't get there in 20 min, it was divert to another field.
That last remark was meant to assume two people on duty.
PB
PB
Lets go back to the facilities. All towers on the operating floor SHOULD HAVE A HEAD. On ships (I'm a ship captain)we have a day bunk just aft of the bridge, one half hour nap does wonders for your concentration, also a small head.
PB
PB
@Gene. LOL :)