
An internal FAA investigation has revealed that Reagan National Airport’s air traffic control tower did not have adequate personnel on duty when an Army helicopter collided with a commercial jet Wednesday night, resulting in the deaths of all 67 people on board both aircraft.
The FAA report, first obtained by The New York Times, states that air traffic controllers typically handle helicopter and airplane operations separately. However, on the night of the crash, only one controller was on duty after a supervisor reassigned roles and allowed another controller to leave early. This shift change happened before the usual 9:30 p.m. transition, even though traffic remained heavy.
Tower at Reagan has been understaffed for years with only 19 of the 30 certified controllers the FAA calls for. pic.twitter.com/d0GQX4Qtfr
— SUPER DEPLORABLE ULTRA ☢️ NUCLEAR ☢️ KING MAGA Mat (@UltraMAGAMat) January 30, 2025
The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. when an American Airlines regional jet carrying members of the U.S. Figure Skating team was preparing to land. The aircraft, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, was struck by a Black Hawk helicopter that had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for a routine training flight. Both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, where emergency crews continue search and recovery efforts.
The FAA was below DEI quotas for ATC’s at Reagan Airport control tower.
Last night the tower was only 2/3 staffed.
I’ll say it.
Rather than hiring white guys to fill openings they chose to be understaffed. pic.twitter.com/TeH4slRviR
— Grumpy Grandpa 🇺🇸 (@GmbPhoenix) January 31, 2025
The FAA has long faced staffing issues at Reagan National, with the tower operating at just 19 certified controllers rather than the required 30. The agency previously acknowledged the shortage, but the problem remained unresolved leading up to the crash.
Incredible clip from March of 2023 on aviation close calls. Buttigieg talked about the rise in close calls at a summit. He's good at talking, it's the doing he struggles with.
Recommendations not being followed. Extremely understaffed. It was just a matter of time. pic.twitter.com/gmvMlULArR
— MAZE (@mazemoore) January 31, 2025
The NYT reports that air traffic controllers have been sleeping, drinking, and getting high on the job. Some have even been violent at the workplace.
Many ATCs are simply unqualified. It isn't just that they're understaffed! pic.twitter.com/PAd5oQYYsv
— Patrick Casey (@restoreorderusa) January 30, 2025
Investigators have recovered black box recordings from both aircraft, which are being analyzed to determine what communication, if any, occurred between the controller and the pilots before impact. Officials have not yet provided a formal assessment of what led to the collision.
Understaffed for years…. pic.twitter.com/aYZ82vEo9G
— Chris Miller (@chrismiller88) January 31, 2025
Following the crash, President Donald Trump issued a directive ordering an overhaul of FAA hiring and training policies, citing the need to address long-standing issues in air traffic control management.