Interim Plan In Place At "Selected Airports" Nationwide

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt has moved quickly to address the issue of overnight staffing at control towers following an incident this week in which a controller allegedly fell asleep during is shift, causing two airliners to have to land without clearance.

"Effective immediately, we are instituting an interim plan to ensure we do not repeat another situation like the one at Reagan National Airport Wednesday morning," Babbitt said in a statement released to the media Friday afternoon. "While we review overnight staffing at selected airports around the country, I have directed all radar controllers to contact air traffic control towers at those airports to confirm that there is a controller prepared to handle the incoming flight.

"In addition, I have reminded all air traffic controllers that proper procedures dictate that they must offer pilots the option to divert to another airport if they do not make contact with the control tower. Finally, I have ordered a nationwide review of the air traffic control system to confirm the appropriate backup procedures and equipment are in place and in use.

"I am determined to make sure we do not repeat Wednesday's unacceptable event."

FMI: www.faa.gov