Pilot sounded like a bit of a prick in the audio with the controller.

He said: 'The tower is apparently not manned, we've made a few phone calls.
'I'm going to take a guess and say that the controller got locked out, I've heard of this happening before.'
The AA pilot then responds: 'First time I've heard of it.'
Virginia tower: 'Yeah fortunately its not very often , it happened about a year ago.'
AA Pilot: 'Interesting.'
Virginia tower: 'It is.'
Virginia Tower: 'American 1012, tower is back in business.'
AA Pilot: 'That was a close call.'


Read more: US air traffic review launched after 2 planes land 'blind' at Reagan National Airport | Mail Online