Washington DC plane crash live: staffing at Reagan airport air traffic control reportedly ‘not normal’ at time of collision

Internal preliminary safety report suggests staffing was lower than it should have been for ‘time of day and volume of traffic’, New York Times reports

Multiple media including the New York Times, Reuters and CNN are saying the Black Hawk helicopter was carrying three soldiers. No senior army officials were onboard, they reported, citing US defence officials.

Multiple sources are now saying that about 60 people were onboard the American Airlines plane that collided with the helicopter.

Topics

D.C. plane crash revives concerns about aviation safety and air traffic controller shortage

The crash between an American Airlines jet and Army helicopter has revived concerns about aviation safety and a shortage of air traffic controllers, given recent near misses at airports.
NBC News - 2h
Staffing Was ‘Not Normal’ at Air Traffic Tower During Plane Crash

The report, reviewed by The New York Times, said that one controller was communicating with both helicopters and planes. Those jobs are typically assigned to two people, not one.
The New York Times - 4h
Audio captures air traffic control at moment of DC crash

The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The Hill - 8h
Former National Air Traffic Controllers' Association president on midair plane crash

In the final moments before the collision near D.C., air traffic control recordings show the controller on duty asking the helicopter if it could see the airliner. Paul Rinaldi, former president of ...
CBS News - 10h
Air traffic controller audio sheds light on DC plane-helicopter crash

Former pilot Anthony C. Roman and former NTSB and FAA investigator Jeff Guzzetti join TODAY to share their insight into the American Eagle passenger plane and Army helicopter collision in ...
NBC News - 12h
Air traffic right-of-way at Reagan National Airport explained

NBC News' Tom Costello explains the right of way at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., where an American Airlines regional jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter.
NBC News - 20h
Commercial plane crashes mid-air with military helicopter near Reagan National Airport

A commercial airline has collided with a helicopter mid-air on approach to Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C. 60 passengers and 4 crew members were on the American Airlines flight that ...
CBS News - 21h

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