FAA adds more controllers on midnight shifts at 27 US control towers

US Federal Aviation Administration announced it added more air controllers on midnight shifts at 27 US control towers that were single-staffed at night (UPI/FoxNews.com/Reuters/WLS, 13-Apr-2011). The change comes two weeks after two aircraft landed on their own at Washington Reagan National Airport as a controller working alone fell asleep on the overnight shift. The FAA was pressured by US officials and lawmakers to add more staff after reports of a fifth incident this year involving a sleeping controller on 13-Apr-2011. The incident occurred at Reno-Tahoe International Airport as an emergency aircraft tried to land with a controller out of radio contact. The controller has been suspended. On 11-Apr-2011 another controller was suspended at Boeing Field in Seattle. [more]