FAA Investigating 'Incapacitated' Air Traffic Controller In Las Vegas

 An aerial view of Southwest Airlines planes parked at a gate at McCarran International Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation after an air traffic controller "became incapacitated while on duty" during an overnight shift at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada last week.

During a 40-minute period, the unidentified air traffic controller was slurring her words and giving pilots incorrect instructions, and at one point lost consciousness. In audio obtained by Fox 5 Las Vegas, she can be heard coughing and trying to clear her throat as pilots were trying to receive landing instructions. 

Controller: "Sorry, I’m choking a little bit."

Pilot: "I guess somebody is checking with the tower up there. Anybody else in operations? Is there something going on up there?"

Tower: "Our ramp controller just advised everybody to call their respective companies to find out what’s going on."

Pilot: "Thanks."

Pilot: "It should like someone walked in to ask her if she was okay."

Tower: "Everybody, just standby. I’m taking over now. I’ll be right back with you."

Another controller who was on break took over for the woman and the FAA said that "no safety events occurred during this incident."

The air traffic controller was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, and the airport has changed its policy to require at least two people working in the control tower at all times. 

Photo: Getty Images


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