Air traffic control staffing was described as "not normal" during the catastrophic mid-air collision between a military helicopter and a passenger airplane near Reagan National Airport in Washington, DC. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy disclosed that a single air traffic controller was overseeing the flight operations—responsibilities typically divided between two personnel—during the incident that occurred on Wednesday.
According to reports, the airport tower was understaffed, raising significant safety concerns about the FAA's operational protocols. "I'll take the FAA at their word that it wasn't normal," Duffy remarked on the FOX News Sunday program, reiterating the need for a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Initial investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicate the helicopter was operating at a low altitude, approximately 200 feet, which is the flight ceiling for helicopters in that region. Duffy questioned the decision-making process that permitted a military operation during peak air traffic times, emphasizing the need for caution to protect both military and civilian air travel.
The collision involved an American Airlines flight carrying 64 passengers and an Army Black Hawk helicopter with three soldiers, with all individuals on board perishing in the tragedy. Family members of the victims gathered at the crash site over the weekend, seeking closure from the devastating accident.
Secretary Duffy also addressed the broader issue of chronic understaffing within air traffic control facilities across the nation, revealing that over 90% of these facilities operate below the FAA's recommended staffing levels. "We haven't had enough air traffic controllers in America for a very long time," he acknowledged, adding that controller fatigue and overwork have become critical concerns.
Duffy assured that plans to recruit and train new air traffic controllers are underway, though he cautioned that solutions won't be immediate. "You can't just flip a switch and get air traffic controllers here tomorrow," he explained. The investigation into the circumstances and causes of the crash remains ongoing as authorities seek to prevent future tragedies.
