According to an internal preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety report quoted by The New York Times, the staffing levels at the time of the crash were “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic.”
Despite this, a source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that the staffing in the control tower on Wednesday night was within standard operational levels. The source explained that air traffic controller positions are often combined if controllers need to step away for breaks, shift changes, or when traffic is lighter.
Supervisors have the discretion to merge positions, which was the case on the night of the crash. However, the source could not confirm the specific reason behind the staffing decision that evening. When asked about reports of heavy air traffic, the source described the volume as moderate.
Reagan National’s air traffic control tower has faced persistent understaffing issues, with only 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023—well below the FAA and controllers' union target of 30.
“The controller who was handling helicopters in the airport's vicinity Wednesday night was also instructing planes landing and departing from its runways,” the FAA report noted. “These roles are typically assigned to two controllers rather than one.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has refrained from speculating on the cause of the crash, emphasizing that a thorough investigation is ongoing.
“This is still an active investigation, and we will not make determinations until all evidence is examined,” NTSB board member Todd Inman stated during a press briefing.
The collision occurred late Wednesday evening as the passenger jet approached Reagan National after a routine flight from Wichita, Kansas. Given the airport’s proximity to downtown Washington, the White House, and the Pentagon, its airspace is among the busiest and most tightly regulated in the country.
Aviation safety experts have urged caution against premature conclusions. Hassan Shahidi, CEO of the independent Flight Safety Foundation, emphasized that staffing levels fluctuate based on traffic volume, time of day, and operational demands.
“Air traffic controllers often handle multiple frequencies based on the situation,” Shahidi explained. “While traffic tends to decline at night, we should wait for a full investigation before drawing conclusions.”
With concerns mounting over systemic understaffing in air traffic control, industry experts and lawmakers are calling for renewed efforts to address workforce shortages and prevent future tragedies.
0 Comments