World

DC plane crash: ATC staffing levels under scrutiny as barges arrive to help salvage ops

Barges are set to arrive in the D.C. area on Saturday to assist with salvage operations following the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport (DCA) that claimed the lives of 67 individuals. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member Todd Inman confirmed on Friday that the barges would aid in the recovery of remaining victims from the Potomac River. The recovered remains will be promptly handed over to the D.C. Medical Examiner’s Office for identification before being returned to their families.

As of Friday, 40 bodies had been retrieved from the river, and both black boxes from the American Airlines plane involved in the collision had been recovered. The NTSB is actively investigating the midair collision between the Army Black Hawk helicopter and the American Airlines plane. According to a report by the New York Post, the Black Hawk was flying well above the designated altitude limit, and its lack of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology may have contributed to the tragic accident.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the incident, highlighting the Black Hawk’s elevated flight path as a potential factor in the collision. He signed an executive order calling for an immediate assessment of aviation safety in response to the crash. Senator Ted Cruz provided further details on the sequence of events leading to the collision, emphasizing the importance of equipping aircraft with advanced technology for improved air traffic control.

A preliminary FAA report revealed that staffing levels at the time of the crash were below the recommended standards, with a single air traffic controller monitoring both planes and helicopters. The FAA requires separate controllers for planes and helicopters, and the tower at Reagan National Airport was reportedly understaffed. The tragic collision underscores the importance of maintaining adequate staffing levels in air traffic control facilities nationwide.

See also  PIttsburgh Steelers plane takes emergency landing, no injuries reported

The Army has released the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the crash, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves and Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara. The identity of the third soldier has been withheld at the request of their family. The victims of the American Airlines flight included several promising young figure skaters returning from a training camp, as well as accomplished athletes Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov.

In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration has implemented restrictions on helicopter traffic around DCA, with support from President Trump and consultation with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The restricted area includes key landmarks and bridges in the vicinity of Reagan Airport to enhance airspace safety for all aircraft.

The investigation into the midair collision continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragic accident. The coordination of salvage operations and identification efforts remains a top priority as the community mourns the loss of the victims.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button