
(VitalNews.org) – A shocking Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report revealed alarming details of the deadly crash that took place in Washington, D.C.
Specifically, understaffing at Ronald Reagan International Airport’s control tower contributed to a catastrophic collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter.
The FAA report exposed the damning reality of the air traffic control situation at Reagan National Airport.
At the time of the crash, only one controller was on duty, tasked with responsibilities that typically require two people.
This staffing level was described as “not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic,” highlighting a severe lapse in safety protocols.
The understaffing crisis at Reagan National is not an isolated incident. The airport currently operates with only 19 fully trained controllers instead of the desired 30, exposing a systemic problem that puts American lives at risk every day.
This shortage forces many controllers to work up to six days a week and 10 hours a day, increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related errors.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), which represents FAA controllers, released a statement:
“NATCA stands with the highly trained, highly skilled air traffic controller workforce and those who perform safety-critical work 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, 365 days-a-year and keeps the United States as the gold standard for aviation safety.
“NATCA has been and remains supportive of taking all possible steps to ensure America has the best and safest air traffic control system in the world. We will be a ready partner with the administration and Congress in any effort to further modernize the ATC system to maximize safety and protect lives.”
While the NATCA attempts to reassure the public, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The FAA’s own National Airspace System safety review team has warned that staffing shortages, insufficient funding, and outdated technology are eroding safety margins across the country.
In the wake of this tragedy, President Donald Trump has blamed the Biden administration’s misplaced priorities for causing the incident.
Trump emphasized the need to “put safety first” and called out the Democrats for prioritizing diversity initiatives over competence and experience in critical positions.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about the full extent of the failures that led to this catastrophe.
However, authorities have not been able to recover flight data recorders from the Potomac River.
What is clear is that the Biden administration’s negligence in addressing critical staffing and infrastructure issues in the nation’s air traffic control system directly contributed to this loss of American lives.
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