(AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration has only two computers that handle flight plans for planes going anywhere in the U.S. It says Tuesday's problem began when one of those computers failed at a facility near Atlanta. That shifted everything to the one remaining computer and that led to delays.
While a number of airports nationwide were affected, many likened the delays to those expected in a bad thunderstorm. For example, delays at Chicago's two airports, O'Hare and Midway, ranged from 30 to 90 minutes.
The FAA says it does not know the cause of the computer problem, but has ruled out terrorism.
source: FAA Rules Out Terrorism In Computer Glitch
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3, VA
other sources:
FAA Computer Trouble Causes Flight DelaysNew York Times, United States
Flight Delays Caused by Computer Failure, FAA Says
Washington Post, United States
AP Executive Morning Briefing
Kansas City Star, MO
