WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal safety officials are now saying the lone air traffic controller on duty at Reagan National Airport who couldn’t be roused to guide two airliners to a landing admits he was sleeping.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement Thursday that it has opened a formal investigation into this week’s incident in which two planes landed at Reagan without controller assistance.
The NTSB said the controller — a supervisor with over 20 years of experience — had worked four consecutive night shifts. The investigation will examine possible fatigue and scheduling issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration has suspended the controller from operational duties.
