01.08.2025 00:34

Following a fatal mid-air collision over the Potomac River in January, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a statement acknowledging a critical oversight by an air traffic controller. This collision, resulting in 67 fatalities, prompted a thorough investigation.

The FAA's acting deputy chief operating officer of operations, Nick Fuller, confirmed during a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing that the controller failed in their duty to warn the passenger jet's crew about the approaching Army helicopter. This admission marks the first official recognition of potential air traffic control error contributing to the accident. Specifically, Fuller stated the controller should have alerted the airplane crew to the helicopter's presence and its reliance on visual separation – a procedure permitting pilots to maintain distance visually.

Normally, managing both helicopter and airplane traffic at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during peak hours (10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) requires two controllers. However, a single controller can handle this workload with supervisory approval. On the night of the accident, a single controller was responsible, a situation exacerbated by unusually high traffic volume.

The controller, who remains unnamed, reported feeling slightly overwhelmed approximately 15 minutes prior to the collision. Nevertheless, he indicated that the traffic volume was manageable at the time of the incident and he felt capable of handling it. The airport's operations manager at the time, Clark Allen, offered further context, noting the unusually high and complex traffic patterns, describing the controllers as "pushing the line" in their efforts to manage the flow. He highlighted the demanding nature of the controller's role, characterizing it as a constant demand requiring continuous attention and rapid decision-making.