Air Traffic Controller Arrested After Fight at Reagan National Airport

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively investigating reports of a physical altercation between employees inside the air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport (DCA) last week. Authorities responded to the incident at the DCA tower outside Washington, D.C., on Thursday after receiving reports of a fight.

Reported fight in control tower at Reagan National Airport 

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police arrested 39-year-old Damon Gaines of Upper Marlboro, Maryland. According to authorities, Gaines is facing charges of assault and battery. Government payroll records identify Gaines as an air traffic controller. Currently, he is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, as confirmed by the FAA.

Tensions at DCA Tower

The reported altercation comes amidst heightened tensions at the DCA tower following a fatal mid-air collision in January that resulted in the loss of 67 lives. This tragedy marked the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001, further raising concerns about safety at the airport.

Adding to the recent string of incidents, a Delta Air Lines flight departing from Reagan airport narrowly avoided a collision with an Air Force jet shortly after takeoff on Friday. These events have intensified scrutiny on air traffic control procedures and safety measures at DCA.

In response to the January crash, which involved a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a series of recommendations aimed at addressing a "serious safety risk" at Reagan airport. Among these recommendations is a proposal to ban helicopter operations along the route near the airport when runways 15 and 33 are in use.