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An air traffic controller in Las Vegas became unfit for a solo night shift, leaving pilots puzzled as she bothered her words before she stopped reacting.
The woman, who was not identified, began her service at McCarran International Airport around 10 pm Wednesday and his instructions seemed to deteriorate shortly after 11 pm, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"Landing possible … in Las Vegas …", could hear the controller, who had also mixed the aircraft codes, in an audio recording of the incident obtained by KVVU-TV.
One of the pilots said, "Is there anyone else who knows what he's doing?"
A few minutes later, another driver asked if there was anyone to talk to in the tower:
"Sorry, I'm choking a bit," said the controller, who was heard coughing.
"I guess someone checks the tower up there. Someone else in the operations? Is there anything going on there? "Said the pilot.
"Our ramp controller simply advised everyone to call their respective companies to find out what was happening," was then heard someone from the tower.
According to the Review-Journal, two controllers were stationed at the time of the incident and one of them was on hiatus, which is allowed by the FAA rules.
The pilots contacted the controllers at Approach Control – a separate communication center in the tower – after some disturbing radio exchanges.
One of the approach controllers alerted the controller of the tower, which was paused.
"Everyone, wait. I take over now. I'll be back with you, "said another controller after the injured woman communicated with the crews of 29 planes.
The Federal Aviation Administration told CBS News that she "is very concerned about this incident and that what happened is not acceptable".
On Friday, the agency changed its rules to require that two controllers be in the tower before midnight.
"There were no security incidents in this incident," the FAA said in a statement about the 40-minute period during which the controller apparently fainted.
The officials did not disclose what caused the controller's incapacity, which had been put on leave. The medical staff responded to the tower.
Five aircraft in flight remained in flight during the incident, and ground flights maintained positions or communicated between them in order to maintain safety while taxiing, according to the FAA.
Representative Dina Titus, D-Nev., A member of the House's subcommittee on aviation, described the incident as "deeply troubling".
"The safety of travelers is a prime concern and I will work with the FAA and McCarran as the investigation unfolds," Titus said in a statement.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents more than 14,000 controllers, has announced that it will cooperate with the FAA.
"It's important to remember the remarkable work done every day by the thousands of men and women who ensure the safety of the national airspace system," said NATCA President Paul Rinaldi in a statement.
"Our air traffic controllers in Las Vegas and across the country perform exceptional work day after day and meet the highest professional standards."
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