Story Archive

Out of Control

Two helicopter pilots, one departing and one arriving, were unable to contact anyone at the Boise, Idaho, air traffic control tower. An airport operations official was also unable to reach the controllers by land line, emergency telephones, and radio, and called the police. When officers arrived, they were also unable to get a response, but right then the oncoming shift’s controller arrived. “The man seemed to not be concerned and even stopped at the break/lunch room to grab some pizza and a drink before going with the officers up to the main radio area,” the police report said. “The man kept saying it was no problem and everything was OK, and this wasn’t a big deal.” When the group reached the tower, they found the problem: “The individual in the tower seemed very groggy and sluggish, what I would describe as dazed and confused,” the report said. An officer confronted the controller, who admitted he’d fallen asleep. (MS/Idaho Statesman) ...So it wasn’t a big deal, then?