The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding a three-day hearing on the tragic plane crash that occurred in Washington, D.C., in January. The crash involved an Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet, resulting in the loss of 67 lives.
Wreckage is seen in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on Thursday, Jan. 30. (Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles, U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
The NTSB will be questioning witnesses and investigators about the actions of the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic controllers, and the Army. It’s too early for the NTSB to definitively determine the cause of the crash.
Under normal circumstances, air traffic control for helicopters and planes at Reagan National Airport is handled by two operators. However, on the day of the crash, the duties were combined, leaving only one person to manage both responsibilities.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks during a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Arlington, Va., as NTSB member Todd Inman looks on. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
An unofficial source revealed that typically, there is only one air traffic controller after 9:30 PM, but on the night of the collision, a supervisor allowed one to leave early. The tragic incident occurred just before 9:00 PM local time.
A crane is seen on Monday, Feb. 3, near the site of the plane crash near Reagan National Airport. (Fox News)
According to a knowledgeable source, the positions are often combined when air traffic controllers need to take breaks or during shift changes. Controllers may also step away when air traffic is minimal.
