The deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people was a result of a series of catastrophic mistakes. American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a helicopter over the Potomac River. New information is shedding light on what led to the tragedy.
One of the most shocking revelations is that an air traffic controller at Reagan National Airport was allowed to leave their post just before the disaster. According to sources who spoke with The New York Times, the controller was managing both helicopter and plane traffic, which is typically a two-person job during peak hours. From 10 am to 9:30 pm, two controllers are on duty. But at night, with less air traffic, one person usually handles both. On the night of the crash, however, the controller was left alone after a supervisor allowed them to clock out early.
Irregular staffing decision
This staffing arrangement was highly irregular, especially given the level of air traffic at the time. The internal FAA report confirmed that this decision was far from routine. But why was the controller allowed to leave so early? The reasons remain unclear.
Helicopter deviates from approved flight path
Meanwhile, the Black Hawk Army helicopter involved in the crash may have also deviated from its approved flight path. It was supposed to fly at no higher than 200 feet along the Potomac’s eastern side to avoid the American Airlines jet. However, sources say the helicopter was flying above 300 feet and was off course by half a mile. Despite being told to stick to the approved route, the pilot ignored the instructions, putting the aircraft in a dangerous position.
The pilot, a seasoned officer, was well aware of the tight restrictions in place for the flight. This raises questions about why he strayed from the path, especially considering the potential risk.
Last-minute landing change
As Flight 5342 approached the runway, the flight crew requested a change in their landing path. The jet had initially been cleared to land on the main Runway 1. But air traffic control instructed them to land on Runway 33 instead. Sources say this is a common practice, especially for regional jets, to avoid congestion on the primary runway.
Understaffed tower and controller oversight
However, with the tower understaffed and the lone controller juggling multiple responsibilities, things quickly spiraled. Multiple sources claimed the controller should have been more vigilant in guiding the two aircraft away from each other, especially in the dark. The lack of clear visibility likely made it difficult for the pilots to gauge their distance from each other.
The issues with staffing at Reagan National Airport are well-known. The airport has been chronically understaffed, with just 19 fully certified controllers as of September 2023—far below the target of 30. While staffing levels improved slightly, with 24 of 28 positions filled, the problem persists. Controllers are often forced to work long hours, sometimes up to 10-hour shifts six days a week, due to high turnover and budget cuts.
Collision and immediate aftermath
The two aircraft collided in a massive fireball, with the explosion visible from highway dashcams. The wreckage fell into the river, and officials later confirmed that all 67 people aboard both the plane and the helicopter had perished. What began as a rescue mission quickly turned into a recovery operation.
Black boxes recovered for investigation
Authorities made a major breakthrough when they recovered the two black boxes from the American Airlines flight. Salvage teams pulled the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the river, which will be crucial in piecing together the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
Victims identified
The identities of the victims have started to emerge. Among the dead were passengers from Russia, China, Germany, and the Philippines, including young figure skaters. The flight crew included Captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and First Officer Samuel Lilley, both of whom were in charge of the flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C.
Questions raised about air traffic control and communication
This tragedy has raised serious questions about air traffic control practices, staffing shortages, and the communication failures that contributed to the disaster. Investigators are working tirelessly to determine exactly what went wrong and how such a catastrophic failure could have occurred.
