FAA investigating after pilots heard meowing, barking over radio at DCA

A snippet of air traffic control audio from Reagan National Airport has garnered million of views online because — no joke — two pilots were heard meowing and barking at each other.

It’s still unclear which airlines the pilots work for, and which flights they were on.

After listening to it, you may be wondering: Is it legal for pilots to joke around on the radio?

Here’s what you’d typically expect to hear if you listened to Air Traffic Control: flights getting cleared for takeoff and flights getting cleared to land.

But “meow”? That actually happened a few days ago here at DCA.

“Meow meow meow meow,” one voice can be heard saying.

Another responds with barking noises.

When pilots talk over the radio, they may use several different frequencies depending on where they are in their flight. One of them, called “guard,” typically is reserved for emergencies only, but it’s monitored by just about everyone.

“Is it against the rules? Yeah. But doing 56 in a 55 is against the rules, too. But … doesn’t really impact much,” former JFK air traffic controller Steve Abraham said.

Abraham, an air traffic controller at New York’s JFK for nearly three decades, was known for his fair share of banter over the years.

What does he think of the meowing and barking?

“Certain people in the aviation profession, and I don’t begrudge them of this, you know, expect it to be completely buttoned up 105% of the time,” Abraham said. “At the same token, I’m sure the people who were meowing and barking back and forth, they’re incredibly professional.”

Professional or not, the FAA says it’s now investigating, telling NBC News: “FAA regulations prohibit pilots from engaging in non-essential conversations when they’re below 10,000 feet altitude. Conversations must be related to the safe operation of the aircraft. The FAA investigates all situations where pilots mave have violated any regulation.”

“They were just having a momentary joke,” Abraham said. “Sometimes a little levity reduces tension.”