Spiders delayed flights in Kansas on Saturday after the pests took over an air traffic control center.
Flights out of Kansas City International Airport (KCI) were put on hold for 15 minutes after air traffic controllers were bombarded by an infestation of spiders.
Three employees were bitten by spiders as they worked at the Air Traffic Control Center in Olathe, Kansas. That center controls air space around Kansas City.
The air traffic controllers were evacuated to another area of the building where they resumed air traffic control services.
Exterminators were called to the building and quickly discovered a spider’s nest egg had hatched.
CJ Workman with Schendel Pest Control told local station KHSB:
“You’re talking in some spider cases up to 400 and in large breeds , you’re talking 1000’s from one mom.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not revealed what type of spider delayed flights. FAA officials were quick to note that no passengers were in danger because of the incident.
Air traffic controllers are considered to have one of the most stressful jobs in the world, and typically they aren’t battling spiders while attempting to direct, land and takeoff flights.
Here’s the full report:
