3 Hour System Shutdown

Abrupt three-hour shutdown of the main controlling system led Los Angeles Air Controllers lost radio communication with more than 800 hundred airplanes flying in range. On top of that, the backup system did not respond properly, which resulted in lacking communication with other FAA centers or the high altitude flights displayed on their radar screens. As a result, hundreds of flights were held on the ground at Los Angeles International Airport and other nearby airports, causing severe flight delays, diversion and cancellation. (Los Angeles Times, 2004)

This 3-hour system shutdown was on account of human errors and system bugs. Voice Switching and Control System (VSCS), a tool used by air traffic controllers for communicating with planes in