2025-08 · NASA ASRS report 2272995
MLI TRACON Controller reported recurring ATC equipment outages in both the TRACON and Tower cab occurring with no resolution or contingencies.
I was working Radar in the TRACON with a Controller in Charge (CIC). Without warning; all of the equipment; except the radar itself; went dead or briefly failed. As I reached out to the two aircraft on my scope; the CIC rushed to call the Tower to make sure they had working equipment. Although my Enhanced Terminal Voice Switch (ETVS) briefly failed; it was still working because I was able to talk to both aircraft in my airspace and do line checks with the surrounding facilities. However; all of the other equipment lost power and took time to reboot. In the Tower; they had all of their equipment lose power except for the ETVS's and the digital UTC clocks. Luckily; I only had two aircraft in my airspace and not a complex sequence to the airport when this occurred.This is difficult to offer a recommendation for this event. This is almost a frequent occurrence at MLI and I would almost call it a bi-weekly occurrence. I am not sure if the reason for these for these power outages are: the current construction at the airport; the old equipment/infrastructure at my facility; or power/phone/internet companies digging near the airport property. It is most definitely a serious issue; and I would love to find the root of this problem and have it fixed. When I said to my CIC 'Could you imagine this happening with a scope full of traffic?' He told me he doesn't have to imagine; because it happened to him two times; two weeks apart. This is a problem; and it isn't going away on it's own.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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