FAA Increases Oversight at DCA After Fatal Midair Collision

Following the fatal midair collision over the Potomac River on January 29th, which claimed the lives of 67 people, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing increased support and oversight for the air traffic controller team at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The collision involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the FAA announced its decision to enhance operational supervisor staffing from six to eight people. Additionally, the agency will conduct a review of certified professional controller staffing numbers at DCA. This comes in response to safety recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following the deadly incident.

Increased Oversight and Evaluation

The FAA is also evaluating current arrival rates at DCA, which is recognized as having the busiest runway in America, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The agency will scrutinize DCA's arrival rate of aircraft per hour, noting that it is "disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour," as stated by the FAA. Maintaining adequate spacing between flights is crucial for ensuring safe operations, as emphasized by the MWAA.

Addressing Helicopter Traffic

In March, the FAA announced its decision to permanently restrict "non-essential" helicopter operations around DCA and eliminate mixed traffic involving helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The agency also prohibited the simultaneous use of runways 15/33 and 4/22 when helicopters conducting urgent missions are operating near DCA.

Support for Air Traffic Controllers

In response to the crash, which occurred during an Army flight check, the FAA will deploy its Critical Incident Stress Management team to support the well-being of controllers this month. The team will offer confidential support to staff following stressful events, as outlined in the statement. Regular wellness checks will also be conducted at the facility.