Multiple flight service stations in Alaska have been closed for weeks, as reported by the Nome Nugget.
“The FAA has placed several Flight Service employees on administrative leave following allegations of employee misconduct,” the FAA explained via email. “The FAA takes these allegations very seriously and is coordinating with the Office of Inspector General to investigate to the fullest extent to protect taxpayer money and the integrity of the FAA.”
As a result of the administrative leave, seven local Alaska flight service stations have been closed.
They are at Barrow, Northway, Deadhorse, Palmer, Talkeetna, Nome, and Kotzebue.
“All services at impacted Flight Service Stations (FSS) will continue to be available including: flight plan management, preflight briefings, in-flight support, emergency services, navigation aid monitoring, and communication support. The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations and provide additional support if necessary,” the FAA’s email noted.
Operationally, the FAA reports the Fairbanks FSS will cover Deadhorse, Barrow, and Northway stations while the Kenai FSS will cover Palmer and Talkeetna. Nome or Kotzebue coverage was not mentioned.
Weather observation systems at the closed facilities are operated by the National Weather Service, noted the FAA email. And the FAA “will assist the NWS to restore the service as possible.”
“So far, we have not noticed much degradation in service,” stated Adam White, Government Affairs for the Alaska Airmen’s Association. “But there have been instances of pilots reporting that they have had to “stand by” more than usual to get a FSS Specialist to respond to their request over RCOs.”
However, a June 10 Nome Nugget story reported that Alaska Airlines canceled five flights to Nome and Kotzebue early in June.
So what was the misconduct?