Reviews of the moments leading up to Wednesday’s fatal midair crash involving an Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet have revealed several failures and mistakes.
In normal operating conditions, air traffic control for helicopters and planes at Reagan National Airport is handled by two operators. However, on Wednesday, the duties were combined, leaving just one person to handle both duties, The New York Times reported.
The outlet, citing a source who was not authorized to speak publicly, noted that there is usually only one air traffic controller after 9:30 PM, but a supervisor let one leave early. The midair collision that left 67 dead occurred just before 9:00 PM local time.
However, a person familiar with the matter explained to Fox News Digital that the positions get combined regularly if air controllers have to step away from the console for breaks, or if they are involved in a shift change. Controllers may also have to step away when air traffic is slow, the person explained, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal procedures.
Hegseth also called for the prioritizing of merit over “background” amid speculation that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies played a role in the crash. Some, including President Trump, have wondered if those working on air traffic control had been hired based on DEI goals, rather than professional qualifications.
President Trump said Thursday that the deadly midair collision was a “confluence of bad decisions that were made, and you have people that lost their lives, violently lost their lives.”
Greg Wehner and Grady Trimble contributed to this report.
