The staffing levels at the control tower were below what is considered normal.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday afternoon directing an investigation into the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies implemented under President Biden. The move comes in response to Wednesday’s midair collision near Reagan National Airport that appears to have claimed the lives of 67 people.
🚨 #BREAKING: Trump signs executive order to investigate DEI policies implemented by Biden in the FAA after plane crash
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 30, 2025
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Along with the order, Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau as acting FAA administrator, signaling a shift in leadership at the agency.
🚨 JUST IN: Trump appoints Chris Rocheleau as acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 30, 2025
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While the cause of the crash remains under investigation, The New York Times reviewed preliminary documents indicating that a single air traffic controller was communicating with both airplanes and helicopters. Under ideal conditions, at least two controllers handling such operations:
The controller who was handling helicopters in the airport’s vicinity Wednesday night was also instructing planes that were landing and departing from its runways. Those jobs typically are assigned to two controllers, rather than one.
This increases the workload for the air traffic controller and can complicate the job. One reason is that the controllers can use different radio frequencies to communicate with pilots flying planes and pilots flying helicopters. While the controller is communicating with pilots of the helicopter and the jet, the two sets of pilots may not be able to hear each other.
Like most of the country’s air traffic control facilities, the tower at Reagan airport has been understaffed for years. The tower there was nearly a third below targeted staff levels, with 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023, according to the most recent Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan, an annual report to Congress that contains target and actual staffing levels. The targets set by the F.A.A. and the controllers’ union call for 30.
The shortage — caused by years of employee turnover and tight budgets, among other factors — has forced many controllers to work up to six days a week and 10 hours a day.
Wednesday’s plane crash has intensified concerns about air traffic control staffing shortages, an issue that has quietly plagued commercial aviation safety in recent years. The fact that the deadly midair collision occurred in one of the most heavily monitored airspaces in the world underscores the risks associated with understaffing in critical aviation operations.
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The Tower in Washington was clearly UNDERMANNED – a CRIMINAL IRRESPONSIBILITY!
NEVERTHELESS, THE LONE CONTROLLER WAS GOOD: HE ORDERED “FLY PAST BEHIND CRJ!”
So, DEI had nothing to do with this accident – BUT: WAS IT AN ACCIDENT?
The entire event is strange:
Admittedly, the passenger jet’s approach to landing was in left turn curve (~30′) immediately before landing, but in good sight conditions.
The helicopter flew straight, it would have avoided the jet’s landing path. Whoever was at the controls must have seen the jet coming ahead, slightly on left side AND leaning sidewise (see lights) for its curve. Thus, the chopper pilot would have known about the jet’s turning course.
A plane on landing approach goes at low speed and reduced maneuverability. The jet pilot was, by his curve “deviation” avoiding the chopper (which he saw, too) and EXPECT THE CHOPPER PILOT TO CARRY ON STRAIGHT (or slightly left) AND PAST, BEHIND THE JET!(alternative: change rotor blade angle for ascent – but not recommendable because of proximity to jet).
BUT INSTEAD, THE CHOPPER TURNED RIGHT (~10-15’) THE MINUTE BEFORE COLLISION!!! WHY!!!
The Tower radio messages were – correctly: The “Do you see CRJ?” and, of course, he must have seen CRJ! – AND THEN: “PAT25 – TURN TO PORT, BEHIND JET!”
– But chopper pilot DISOBEYED ORDER!
INSTEAD TURNED RIGHT, ONTO COLLISION COURSE, IN THE LAST MINUTE!!!!
So, WHY did he NOT do the most sensible – or, if it was a training flight:
Where had the flight Instructor left his brain?
The breaking of the jet’s body in two indicates that it was hit before the fall – So, this report is not fully clear. I assume the jet was hit and cut sideways!
Dr. J. Boost
(ex NATO airspace controller)
Get out of the UN and the WHO, now
Automate FAA ATC
Use AI
3D map modelling
CCTV Taxi Terminal cameras
Hologram the airport for Traffic in 3D
More can be done