Air site visitors controller was doing the job of two individuals throughout crash, FAA says

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Air site visitors controller was doing the job of two individuals throughout crash, FAA says

The air site visitors controller working on the time of the lethal plane-helicopter crash in Washington was doing the work of two individuals, the Federal Aviation Administration stated. 

Staffing within the air site visitors management tower at Ronald Reagan Nationwide Airport was “not regular for the time of day and quantity of site visitors,” the FAA present in its preliminary report, in keeping with the New York Instances


Investigators stroll the grounds of the Reagan Nationwide Airport as they work after the crash final night time of the American Airways aircraft on the Potomac River because it approached the Reagan Nationwide Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday. Getty Pictures

Wreckage from the American Airlines jet and Army helicopter crash can be seen s rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River on Thursday.
Wreckage from the American Airways jet and Military helicopter crash will be seen s rescue crews search the waters of the Potomac River on Thursday. AFP through Getty Pictures

This led to the controller who was dealing with helicopters within the airport’s neighborhood to even be the one in control of instructing planes touchdown and departing the runways. The roles are usually assigned to 2 individuals, not one.  

The airport’s air site visitors management amenities have been understaffed for years, with solely 19 absolutely licensed controllers on deck as of September 2023, in keeping with Congress’ Air Visitors Controller Workforce Plan report. 

The ability ought to have had 30 on deck, as per the aim set by the FAA and controller’s union. 


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