FAA Report Reveals Critical Staffing Shortages Before DC Midair Collision

A newly surfaced Federal Aviation Administration report has confirmed that Reagan National Airport’s air traffic control tower was not fully staffed during the moments leading up to a deadly midair crash. The accident, which involved a military helicopter and a commercial passenger jet, claimed 67 lives Wednesday night.

FAA regulations state that separate controllers should manage helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to ensure safe airspace coordination. However, the report, obtained by The New York Times, shows that only one controller was handling both duties at the time of the crash. A supervisor had reassigned responsibilities and released another controller from duty before 9:30 p.m., despite heavy traffic in the area.

The disaster occurred just before 9 p.m. as an American Airlines regional jet from Wichita, Kansas, was approaching Reagan National for landing. Onboard were members of the U.S. Figure Skating team, returning from a development camp. The plane was struck by a Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, that was engaged in a training mission. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River.

The FAA report also highlights a long-standing staffing problem at the control tower. Reagan National operates with only 19 fully certified controllers, well below the 30 necessary for safe operations. Despite prior warnings, the staffing shortage had not been adequately addressed.

Investigators have retrieved the flight recorders from both aircraft for analysis, which may provide insight into any final communications between the pilots and the control tower. Search crews have recovered numerous bodies from the water, and more search efforts are planned.

In response to the tragedy, President Donald Trump has issued an order for a full federal review of aviation hiring practices and air traffic control staffing nationwide.