CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Last week’s fatal mid-air crash over the Potomac River has prompted a lot of finger-pointing.
The cause of the deadly collision of an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport is still unknown.
A preliminary report as to what happened is expected within 30 days, with a final report as to why the accident happened could take over a year.
In the meantime, authorities stress this is not a time for speculation. It’s time to investigate.
While at this time it is impossible to identify a cause or who is responsible for the crash, President Trump has placed blame, in part, on Federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hiring programs affecting pilots and air traffic controllers.
While there is no clear evidence to back this up, there is evidence an air traffic control shortage is affecting airports nationwide, especially in the Northeast corridor.
According to reports one air traffic controller was working both the helicopters and airplanes in the Reagan National Tower on the night of the crash, a job typically handled by two controllers.
While this double duty is not ideal, it is normal due to the shortage, according to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy.
Whether this shortage contributed to the accident in any way is yet to be seen.
Queen City News Chief Transportation Correspondent and professional pilot MayCay Beeler caught up with Captain C.B. “Sully” Sullenberger, former U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, safety expert, and best known for his actions as Captain of US Airways Flight 1549: The Miracle on the Hudson.
MayCay: Are you worried about the ATC shortage?
Captain Sullenberger: Yes. We need to do a better job of providing the staffing in all positions that are needed. It’s going to take time, going to take years.
That’s because although the FAA says hiring numbers reached their goal last year, and are on track for 2025, the time it takes to train and certify an Air Traffic Controller can take up to three years.
In the meantime, many controllers are retiring early or taking mandatory retirement at age 56.
Regarding DEI, Captain Sullenberger said: An airplane cannot know or care who the pilot is. What their skin tone is. What gender they are. All it can know is what control inputs are made. And we all need them to be the most skillful and appropriate ones.
