President Donald Trump attributed the tragic midair collision involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter last week to what he identifies as an outdated computer system utilized by U.S. air traffic controllers. He expressed a commitment to modernizing this system in the wake of the incident, which occurred on January 29, claiming the lives of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.
During his remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast held at the U.S. Capitol, Trump stated, “A lot of mistakes happened,” reflecting on the events leading up to the crash. Previously, he had pointed fingers at diversity hiring initiatives, but on Thursday, he focused on the need for an improved air traffic control system.
Trump remarked on the incident, saying, “It’s amazing that it happened,” and emphasized that the situation could lead to positive changes, advocating for a comprehensive new computerized system for air traffic control towers rather than patching up the existing, outdated infrastructure.
He also criticized federal spending practices, claiming that the United States has wasted billions attempting to upgrade an antiquated system instead of investing in entirely new technology. Trump noted that even on his personal aircraft, he relies on a foreign system for landings, due to his pilot’s views on the current domestic framework being obsolete.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, along with Elon Musk, announced on X that Musk’s team would assist in expediting enhancements to the national aviation safety framework. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has endeavored to modernize the air traffic control system since the mid-2000s, long before Trump’s presidency, as part of its NextGen initiative aimed at addressing growing air travel congestion issues.
Geoff Freeman, the leader of the U.S. Travel Association, praised Trump’s commitment to upgrading the air traffic control system, asserting that the travel industry has continuously advocated for increased investment in technology and personnel. Concerns regarding an overstretched and under-resourced air traffic control system have been highlighted by federal officials, particularly after a series of near-miss incidents at airports across the country.
Staffing shortages have been attributed to several factors, including insufficient pay, lengthy shifts, extensive training, and compulsory retirement policies. Trump suggested that had the U.S. possessed a more advanced system, alerts would have been triggered when the Black Hawk helicopter, engaged in a training exercise, approached the same altitude as the incoming plane.
However, an FAA report following the crash indicated that air traffic controllers did receive warnings about the approaching aircraft when they were still over a mile apart. The controller in charge communicated with the helicopter, confirming if it could see the plane, and instructed it to stay behind the jet. The helicopter’s crew confirmed they had visual contact with the airline.
Investigators have primarily focused on determining the respective altitudes of both the plane and helicopter at the time of the collision. The airplane’s flight recorder determined its altitude at 325 feet, with a margin of error of 25 feet. Conversely, radar data suggested that the helicopter was flying above its 200-foot ceiling, and it was being tracked at about 300 feet during the incident.
To gather more accurate information, investigators need to delve into the wreckage of the still-submerged Black Hawk helicopter, which is expected to be inaccessible until later this week. This tragic occurrence marks the deadliest aviation incident in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when a jetliner crashed into a New York neighborhood shortly after takeoff, claiming 265 lives.
There were concerns that Trump’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce could exacerbate the already existing shortage of air traffic controllers, especially if they took recent resignation offers extended to federal employees. However, the union representing air traffic controllers clarified that certain FAA positions, including those of controllers, are exempt from these offers.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association informed its members that additional exemptions may also be applicable based on the employees’ national security or public safety duties. The union had previously advised its members to reject the resignation offers sent out the day before the midair incident.
