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FAA Investigates Report of Air Traffic Controller Falling Asleep On The JobPublished March 23, 2011

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AP

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating whether an air traffic controller fell asleep on the job and allowed two planes to land at Reagan Washington National Airport without clearance.
An American Airlines flight was on final approach to the airport at 12:10 a.m. Wednesday and abandoned the descent when the tower was unresponsive, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. A United Airlines flight faced the same experience fifteen minutes later.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson said the pilots were able to communicate with a regional air traffic control facility. Both planes landed safely using “uncontrolled airport” procedures.
An aviation official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the single controller -- a supervisor -- was scheduled for duty in the tower at that time but had fallen asleep.
The NTSB board is gathering facts to determine whether a full-fledged investigation is needed and Reagan National has a cut-off on flight departures at 11 p.m., according to an NTSB official.
The name of the controller wasn't available.
The FAA is looking into staffing issues and whether existing procedures were followed appropriately.