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Air Traffic Controllers in Physical Altercation at Reagan Airport Tower
A physical dispute between two air traffic controllers resulted in punches being exchanged inside the control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport, according to an exclusive report by DailyMail.com.
The air traffic control facility at the busy airport is already under scrutiny following a fatal mid-air collision in January. That incident involved an American Airlines plane during its final approach and a military helicopter.
On-Duty Personnel Involved in Tower Scuffle
Sources indicate further disruption occurred on Thursday when two on-duty tower controllers engaged in a heated argument. The disagreement escalated, culminating in one controller striking the other, a source revealed.
An insider reported that by the time colleagues intervened to separate the fighting controllers, blood was visible on a nearby control console.
At the time of the altercation, the tower would likely have been staffed with a supervisor and at least six or seven controllers managing air traffic operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed they are investigating the reported incident.
“Unprecedented” Incident Raises Concerns
“I’ve heard of controllers arguing in the parking area, but this is unprecedented within the tower itself,” the source told DailyMail.com. “The situation at that facility is becoming critical. Personnel are exhibiting signs of stress following the January accident.”
Emergency units responded after a passenger aircraft collided with a helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington Airport in January.
A physical fight occurred between two air traffic controllers within the Reagan Airport control tower on Thursday.
January Crash Aftermath and Staff Morale
Sources understand that the controllers involved in the physical altercation were not on duty during the night of the January collision. That crash involved American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter, occurring approximately half a mile from runway 33.
However, it is believed they were affected by the aftermath of the tragedy as recovery efforts for victims and aircraft wreckage took place in the Potomac River, as explained by the source.
The January crash, which claimed the lives of all 64 individuals aboard the regional jet and the helicopter’s three crew members, is considered the most devastating aviation accident in recent US history.
Staffing shortages at the Washington D.C. area airport, one of the nation’s busiest, meant only one controller was managing traffic for both helicopters and planes at the time of the January crash – a task typically handled by two.
“The personnel working in that tower witnessed the recovery of bodies from the river. It was impossible to ignore,” the source added, highlighting the traumatic nature of the event.
“Leadership has not provided sufficient support to these individuals. There was a lack of adequate professional mental health resources deployed to ensure the well-being of the staff.”
NTSB Investigation and Close Call Statistics
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are still conducting their inquiry into the January 29 incident. The final report is expected to take up to a year to complete.
A preliminary NTSB report did emphasize the potential hazards of commercial and helicopter flights operating in close proximity above the nation’s capital.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy informed a Senate subcommittee on Thursday that there had been at least one “close call” per month from 2011 to 2024.
Reagan National Airport manages substantial passenger traffic, serving over 26 million travelers last year.
The air traffic controllers involved in Thursday’s physical altercation were not reportedly working during the January crash incident.
NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy disclosed the “close call” data on the same Thursday as the controller altercation.
Congressional Hearing Addresses Airspace Safety
Senator Ted Cruz, representing Texas, questioned why the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was not transmitting ADS-B location data at the time of the mid-air collision.
Acting Federal Aviation Administrator Chris Rocheleau stated that ADS-B would now be mandatory for all helicopters, with the exception of presidential aircraft.
“A lapse occurred during the DCA crash, which I take seriously and personally,” he conveyed to the hearing.
“Having returned to the FAA two months prior, I am committed to the safety of the National Airspace System and the workforce.”
“I am dedicated to continuing this critical work and will thoroughly review the identified high-risk areas, collaborating closely with the NTSB to understand the factors involved in this accident and prevent future occurrences.”
Dailey Crafton, brother of crash victim Casey Crafton, advocated before Thursday’s hearing for urgent action to address the dangerously congested airspace near Reagan National Airport.
“Numerous near misses have occurred, and this tragic crash was necessary for any meaningful response to materialize,” he stated to USA Today.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pledged to adhere to the FAA’s forthcoming recommendations.
Former President Donald Trump attributed the January collision to “DEI” hiring practices within the FAA. Subsequently, he issued a presidential memo aiming to prohibit the regulator from prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion over competence in hiring and promotions.
FAA Response to Control Tower Incident
An FAA spokesperson provided a brief statement regarding Thursday’s incident: “We are investigating the matter.”
When pressed for further details, the spokesperson responded, “We are not confirming or commenting on specifics related to the ongoing investigation.”
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