US News
US air traffic controllers asleep on the job; director resigns
Apr 15, 2011, 10:29 GMT
Washington - The man in charge of the country's air traffic control system resigned Thursday after at least two incidents of controllers who fell asleep on the job while planes needed to land.
The incidents had 'rightly caused the traveling public to question our ability to ensure their safety,' said Randy Babbitt, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, in a statement.
'This conduct must stop immediately,' Babbitt said.
Babbitt said he had accepted the resignation of Hank Krakowski, head of the US Air Traffic Organization that operates the control towers at airports across the country.
On Wednesday, a Nevada air traffic controller fell asleep as a medical flight with an emergency case wanted to land at the Reno- Tahoe airport. In recent weeks, a similar incident occurred at Reagan National Airport in Washington.
It was the fifth time this year that a controller apparently fell asleep on the job, according to a Washington Post tally.
'We are conducting a top to bottom review of the way we operate our air traffic control system,' Babbitt said.
Read more about US Transportation
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in US
- 1. Mitt Romney Addresses Tea Party Summit Pictures
- 2. Seven injured as US Navy plane crashes into apartments
- 3. At least three injured in US Navy plane crash
- 4. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, others to face death penalty trial
- 5. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, four others to face death penalty trial
Older Talkback
