Two pilots were heard making meowing and barking sounds over an air traffic control frequency at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on April 12, drawing a stern warning from controllers and triggering a review by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The audio clip, which quickly went viral, captures one pilot repeatedly saying “meow” while another responds with dog-like barks. An air traffic controller quickly stepped in, telling the pilots, “You guys, you need to be professional.” The animal noises continued, prompting another voice on the frequency to remark, “This is why you still fly an RJ,” a reference to regional jets.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now reviewing the incident. FAA rules prohibit pilots from engaging in non-essential conversations while flying below 10,000 feet, requiring all radio communications to focus on the safe operation of the aircraft. The exchange reportedly occurred on the emergency guard frequency.
No safety issues or injuries resulted from the exchange, and air traffic operations at the busy Washington, D.C. airport were not disrupted. However, the clip has sparked widespread discussion online about cockpit professionalism and radio discipline.
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The Federal Aviation Administration is now reviewing the incident.
The Federal Aviation Administration is now reviewing the incident.
