SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — An air traffic controller at Springdale Municipal Airport has been arrested for public intoxication after being found passed out while on the job in the airport tower.

Airport officials say 50-year-old Philip Maschek was arrested on the misdemeanor charge after being found about 7:45 a.m. Thursday after a pilot who was trying to take off was unable to get the tower to respond to his request.

Police say Maschek declined to take a breath test and failed field sobriety tests.

He denied being intoxicated.

Wyman Morgan — who oversees the airport — said Maschek doesn't work for the city, but for Robinson Aviation, which operates the tower.

Robinson vice president Charlie Taylor told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the company is investigating the incident and has no further comment.