Additional Coverage:
A fatal plane crash over Washington, D.C. has raised questions about staffing levels at the time of the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed staffing was below normal.
An anonymous source told the press that an air traffic control supervisor combined the responsibilities of managing both helicopter and airplane traffic before the standard time. Typically, Reagan National Airport has two controllers until 9:30 PM – one for helicopters and one for planes. After this time, a single controller handles both due to reduced traffic.
It appears the supervisor made the switch to a single controller before 9:30 PM, deviating from normal procedure. The reason for this change remains unclear. The FAA has acknowledged that staffing levels were not typical for the time of day and traffic volume.
Speculation surrounding the crash’s cause continues, with some suggesting diversity hiring practices may have played a role.
The crash involved an American Airlines plane carrying 64 people and a Black Hawk helicopter with three military personnel. Authorities believe there are no survivors.
Audio recordings have surfaced of an air traffic controller urgently directing the helicopter to maneuver behind the plane moments before the impact.
The FAA’s investigation is ongoing. Two black boxes have been recovered from the plane, potentially offering crucial insights into the cause of the tragedy.