Understaffing in Washington Air Traffic Control Tower During Aircraft Collision
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Synopsis
An internal FAA report indicates that the air traffic controller during the tragic Washington aircraft collision was understaffed, performing duties typically meant for two people, contributing to the fatal incident that resulted in 67 deaths.
Key Takeaways
- Controller understaffing during the incident.
- Fatal collision involved a passenger jet and an Army helicopter.
- Warnings were issued too late.
- Investigation launched by the Army and Defence Department.
- Efforts are now focused on recovery.
Washington, Jan 31 (NationPress) A recent internal document from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the air traffic controller on duty during the tragic aircraft collision in Washington, D.C., was performing responsibilities typically assigned to two individuals, as reported by US media.
According to a preliminary report cited by The New York Times, staffing at the air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was abnormal during the fatal late-night incident involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives.
The report indicated that the controller managing helicopter activities in the airport's vicinity on Wednesday night was also directing planes that were landing and taking off from the runways — duties usually divided between two controllers, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
During a press conference held at the White House earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump mentioned that there had been some warnings issued prior to the midair collision between the passenger plane and the helicopter near the airport on Wednesday night, stating, “but the warnings were given very, very late.”
Trump shared that he listened to “very scary tapes.” He noted, “When the air traffic controller said, he was talking about, do you see him? But there was very little time left when that was stated,” adding that there is also “a pilot problem” from the helicopter's perspective.
At the same press conference, Trump confirmed there were no survivors from the collision, stating that “the work has now shifted to a recovery mission.”
John Donnelly, chief of the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, informed a press conference at the airport on Thursday morning that 28 bodies had been recovered, comprising 27 individuals from the plane and one from the helicopter.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated on Thursday that the flight paths of both aircraft were not uncommon for the area, and that both the helicopter and the airplane were flying within standard flight patterns.
Among the three major airports in the region, Reagan National is the closest to the capital. Due to its short runway lengths, more than 90 percent of flights utilize its main runway, making it the busiest in the US, with over 800 daily takeoffs and landings.
Duffy mentioned that the Federal Aviation Administration would “take appropriate action if necessary to modify flight paths” to guarantee adequate separation between civilian airplanes and military helicopters.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an investigation has been initiated by the Army and Defence Department.
