Following January’s deadly midair collision over the Potomac River, the FAA has rolled out sweeping safety reforms at Reagan National Airport, from staffing upgrades to helicopter restrictions.
At a Glance
- FAA adds supervisors and reviews controller staffing after 67 deaths in January crash.
- Helicopter operations face new restrictions near Reagan National Airport.
- FAA introduces wellness checks and stress management support for air traffic controllers.
- Safety reforms follow a series of troubling incidents and controller conflicts.
- Arrival rate evaluations underway to reduce runway congestion.
FAA Responds to Fatal Crash With Staffing and Safety Reforms
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced an aggressive set of reforms at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the January midair collision that killed 67 people—marking the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. The measures include additional staff, stricter safety protocols, and mental health resources for air traffic controllers.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau admitted before Congress that “something was missed,” referencing the system failures that led to the crash over the Potomac River. To address those issues, the FAA is boosting the number of operational supervisors from six to eight, reviewing controller staffing levels, and instituting wellness checks and psychological support systems.
Operational Gaps Revealed in FAA Investigation
Internal investigations have revealed troubling inefficiencies in air traffic operations. FAA data showed that flights into Reagan National were “disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour,” creating dangerous runway congestion. Reagan’s main runway handles over 800 daily takeoffs and landings, making it the busiest in the U.S. by movement volume.
To better manage this intense traffic flow, the FAA is reevaluating hourly arrival caps and scheduling practices. These measures aim to ease air traffic bottlenecks and reduce controller strain during peak times.
Psychological Support for Staff
The reforms go beyond logistics. In light of the emotional toll on air traffic staff following the crash, the FAA is expanding access to confidential mental health services. According to the agency, the initiative will “support the well-being of controllers” through free counseling and stress management resources, including a dedicated Critical Incident Stress Management team.
This is part of a broader cultural shift within the FAA that recognizes the psychological pressures controllers face, especially at high-traffic airports like Reagan.
Watch ATC staff react to the Potomac River crash.
Helicopter Restrictions and Safety Enhancements
In response to recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA has also imposed new restrictions on helicopter traffic in the airspace around DCA. These include a ban on “non-essential” operations and the separation of helicopters from fixed-wing aircraft to prevent midair interactions.
Additional accident-prevention protocols are being drafted to further ensure the safety of both civilian and government flights, which frequently share airspace near the capital.
Not the Only Incident
The January crash was not an isolated incident. On March 28, Reagan National witnessed a near miss involving a Delta flight and an Air Force jet. Separately, an altercation between air traffic control staff led to the arrest of controller Damon Gaines, who is now on administrative leave. Reports of cockpit collision warning alerts have added to growing safety concerns at the airport.
The FAA’s reforms come amid increased scrutiny of its oversight role and its ability to maintain safety standards at one of the nation’s most vital and congested aviation hubs. With these changes, the agency hopes to rebuild public trust and avoid future tragedies.
