Denver Air Traffic Control Center Faces Communications Failure

A recent communications failure at the Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont caused pilots flying near Denver International Airport to lose contact with air traffic control for nearly two minutes in May. Federal officials revealed that the issue was a result of overlapping equipment outages, specifically affecting radio transmitters and circuits.

During the outage, air traffic controllers had to resort to using an alternative frequency to communicate instructions to pilots. Fortunately, all aircraft remained safely separated during this time. Following the incident, the faulty transmitters were replaced, and the circuits were repaired to prevent future disruptions.

The Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center in Longmont plays a crucial role in overseeing air traffic across a vast area spanning 285,000 miles over nine states. This includes monitoring planes flying through portions of Wyoming, Kansas, Utah, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Arizona.

The May communications failure drew significant national attention, especially as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is under increased scrutiny following a series of high-profile plane crashes and incidents. The agency continues to prioritize safety and efficiency in air traffic control operations to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew.

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