Las Vegas air controller zonks out

An air-traffic controller in Las Vegas became incapacitated during a nightly solo stint — leaving pilots confused as she slurred her words before becoming unresponsive.

The woman, who has not been identified, began her shift at McCarran International Airport at about 10 p.m. Wednesday, and her instructions appeared to degrade shortly after 11 p.m., according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“Landing at possible . . . into Las Vegas . . .,” the controller, who also mixed up the planes’ call signs, could be heard saying in an audio recording of the incident obtained by KVVU-TV.

A pilot asked if there was anyone else to talk to in the tower.

“Sorry, I’m choking a little bit,” said the controller, who was heard coughing.

Two controllers were on duty at the time of the incident, but one was on break, which was permitted under Federal Aviation Administration rules.

Pilots contacted controllers at the approach control — a separate communications center at the tower — after some of the troubling radio exchanges.

“Everybody, just stand by,” another controller said. “I’m taking over now.”

On Friday, the FAA changed its regulations to require two controllers to be in the tower before midnight.