SPRINGDALE, AR (Fox News Edge) — An air traffic controller at Springdale Municipal Airport is facing charges of public intoxication after police say he was found passed out inside the control tower.
According to an arrest report, police were called to the airport after a pilot of an airplane had tried to get clearance from the tower to taxi, but no one answered. Police say after several failed attempts, the pilot notified the city that something was wrong.
Police say an employee was sent into the tower to investigate. That employee told officials he found Philip Maschek passed out in his chair and “half naked” with his shirt off. The tower manager had taken over the air traffic control duties.
Officers report that Maschek was “swaying back and forth,” but Maschek told them the only thing he had to drink was water.
Police had Maschek perform field sobriety tests, but Maschek refused to take a breath test.
