A preliminary FAA report reveals that staffing at the air traffic control tower was “not normal” during Wednesday night’s midair collision near Reagan National Airport. Multiple media reports cite a source saying staffing was not normal for the amount of air traffic and the time of day.
According to the source, the tower typically has a controller focused on helicopter traffic, with another checking both airplane and helicopter activity. One person was reportedly handling both duties. An American Airlines regional jet on a flight from Wichita and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided as the jet was approaching Reagan National for a landing. Officials said there were no survivors among the 64 people on the jet and the three soldiers in the helicopter.
National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Todd Inman said investigators continue to collect information on tower personnel.
Federal officials say they haven’t recovered the black boxes from the deadly midair collision in the Washington, DC area. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said they know the recorders are there and they will eventually retrieve them. Homendy said she spoke with President Trump and Vice President Vance and provided them with an update. The agency said it will work to have a preliminary report ready within a month.
