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# Major malfunction in desert causes air traffic turbulence
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/major-malfunction-in-desert-causes-air-traffic-turbulence/
- Published: 2004-09-15T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:03:59.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*Communications glitch wreaking havoc at airports*

*By Daily Press staff* cials were troubleshooting the breakdown. Planes across the country were grounded as officials worked to correct the problem.

The cause of the equipment malfunction was not immediately known.

The Palmdale center is responsible for all cruise-altitude air traffic across the region, which includes parts of Nevada and Arizona. Radio communication between ground controllers and airborne planes was lost as a result of the glitch, but FAA officials did not anticipate any safety concerns, just serious delays.

According to procedure, pilots are to change radio frequencies and speak with controllers at other facilities.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 15, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/091504.pdf?ref=smdp.com)