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Yikes ... silence in the tower at Reagan National!


Doering

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I can't believe that 2 airplanes landed without a clearance from a tower controller! Scratch-Head.gif There's no way I would have landed in DCA, or anywhere in a situation like this, without a clearance - do the Miss, call Centre and off to the alternate we go. I have landed hundreds of times at uncontrolled airports but that's completely different from landing at an airport that is supposed to be controlled but isn't for some unknown reason.

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I can't believe that 2 airplanes landed without a clearance from a tower controller! Scratch-Head.gif There's no way I would have landed in DCA, or anywhere in a situation like this, without a clearance - do the Miss, call Centre and off to the alternate we go. I have landed hundreds of times at uncontrolled airports but that's completely different from landing at an airport that is supposed to be controlled but isn't for some unknown reason.

Huh??? :Scratch-Head:

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RGT...sorry, quoted incorrectly - I agree, some funny thinking going on. Back to my original post:

So...controllers can fall asleep on the job as well.

Fully agree Seeker, off to the alternate unless its an emergency - it's a controlled airport, period, and Reagan at that.

There are hints of Lexington, Kentucky in this event....single controller, low circadian times for all involved.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out. ...an organizational problem, (staffing, scheduling, etc), or blame the individual. They've put another controller on, but I'll bet the precursors for this event were already known by many.

Don

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Guest 06L06R

It has happened for the first time in history someone who should be awake has fallen asleep. Have you ever felt the rumble strips on the highway? Oh my how we love to hop on a perch and sing.

Good thing he was not looking at his schedule online and flew for an extra hour or so. I hope the crew at least gets their knuckles rapped for landing with out a clearance. What is more dangerous?

As far as letting a kid or anyone else make a transmission I can not believe how people make a big deal out of that. I know which is more dangerous.

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I hope the crew at least gets their knuckles rapped for landing with out a clearance. What is more dangerous?

Which is more dangerous? Landing without having a clearance is the more dangerous of course. Apparently the TRACON controller told the pilots that the airport could be treated as a uncontrolled airport - I'm not completely familiar with the FARs but I believe this is incorrect and caused the crews to assume that it was safe to land - not even close to safe to land in this situation.

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Which is more dangerous? Landing without having a clearance is the more dangerous of course. Apparently the TRACON controller told the pilots that the airport could be treated as a uncontrolled airport - I'm not completely familiar with the FARs but I believe this is incorrect and caused the crews to assume that it was safe to land - not even close to safe to land in this situation.

Good point! I am assuming that the crew getting the word from the TRACON controller (in that moment) thought that landing was okay in this situation (despite no tower contact). However knowing that this airport is never uncontrolled, I'm sure the crew was second guessing every second till touchdown.

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I'm betting that the TRACON controller has never worked at an airport, and as such would be totally unfamiliar with all the things that go on at an airport on a daily basis. All he knows is that there is a data tag in the sky that he wants to get rid of. Definitely proceed to alternate.

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NP Don.

"As far as letting a kid or anyone else make a transmission I can not believe how people make a big deal out of that. I know which is more dangerous."

I know what is more dangerous as well.

-Having only one controlling working at a major ATC tower.

-Telling the pilots they can land at a controlled airport, uncontrolled.

-Landing at a controlled airport without talking to the twr controller.

and

-Letting a kid talk on the radio.

Some these actions may not be out right life threatening or against the regs.

Its just seems to be alot of 'funny thinking'.

(IMHO of course)

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Apparently, the controller has admitted to investigators that he fell asleep. If the controller takes the fall, a great deal of damage will be done to the FAAs efforts to implement SMS, IMHO.

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