Security Control of Air Traffic and Air Navigation Aids
| Company type | Contingency framework |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, National security |
| Founded | June 1971 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Ben Sliney (FAA National Operations Manager during 9/11 activation) |
The Plan for the Security Control of Air Traffic and Air Navigation Aids (SCATANA) represents a U.S. contingency framework that coordinates efforts among the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, and Federal Communications Commission to regulate air traffic and navigation systems during national security crises. Documented versions exist from June 1971 and August 1975, reflecting the implementation of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, Communications Act of 1934, and Executive Order 11490, which was later updated by Executive Order 11921 in 1976.
Canada maintained a comparable strategy prior to transitioning to the Emergency Security Control of Air Traffic (ESCAT) Plan on October 9, 2002.
Use on September 11, 2001
SCATANA's activation outside of routine drills occurred in a modified capacity on September 11, 2001. In response to the attacks, a designated codeword triggered the grounding of all U.S. flights. The Department of Defense permitted the FAA to maintain operational control and keep radio navigation aids active to facilitate the safe landing of thousands of airborne aircraft.
Although the 9/11 Commission Report does not explicitly reference SCATANA, it acknowledges the extraordinary nature of the nationwide grounding order and commends the air traffic controllers who carried it out.
Various individuals have been credited with initiating the national ground stop under SCATANA; however, the 9/11 Commission attributes the effective issuance of this directive to FAA National Operations Manager Ben Sliney. At 9:42 a.m., upon confirmation that American Airlines Flight 77 had impacted the Pentagon, Sliney instructed all FAA centers to direct aircraft to land at their closest airports.