Radar and Communication Failure at Newark; Traumatized Air Traffic Controllers On Leave
Air traffic controllers responsible for traffic at Newark Airport briefly lost radar and communications with planes under their control last Monday, April 28 for 60-90 seconds, according to multiple reports. In response to the stress of the incident, five air traffic controllers have gone on leave.
The FAA confirmed that the air traffic controllers are taking special government 45-day leave for traumatic situations to recover from the stress.
Most ATC staff nationwide already work grueling six-day weeks with 10-hour shifts due to chronic understaffing.
Fewer controllers on the job has meant the airport has had to slow air traffic. And, with no quick fix in sight, delays are expected to continue.
INSIDE THE EVENTS
Over the weekend, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby alleged that air traffic controllers at Newark had “walked off the job,” leading to the flight delays and cancellations, but the National Air Traffic Controllers Association denied that in a statement saying, “The controllers took absence under the Federal Employees Compensation Act. This program covers all federal employees that are physically injured or experience a traumatic event on the job.”
On Monday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the incident from the week prior on Fox News, but said there was no immediate danger of plane collisions thanks to onboard GPS and communication devices that allow the pilots to monitor air traffic.
However, he noted that the system is “frail” and said a plan to overhaul it will be announced Thursday.
“We’re going to build a brand-new air traffic control system — from new telecom, to new radars, to new infrastructure. We’re bringing on new air traffic controllers,” the former Fox News personality said.
In the week since controllers lost contact with planes in their control, hundreds of thousands of customers have had travel plans disrupted. The thousands of delays and cancellations have shed light on nationwide air traffic controller staffing shortages and the aging systems airports use.