A collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army helicopter near Washington DC resulted in 67 fatalities, igniting concerns over air traffic control understaffing. This event, the first deadly airline accident since 2009, occurred as American Eagle flight 5342 approached Reagan National airport. Investigators noted that only one controller was available to manage both arrivals and departures and helicopter traffic at the airport, prompting questions about operational safety. The tragedy stirred political responses as President Trump expressed condolences but also leveraged the incident for political discourse.
The understaffing led to a single controller handling both arrivals and departures at the airport and also managing helicopter traffic, a job usually handled by two people.
As it approached Reagan National airport around 9pm, American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a US army Black Hawk helicopter.
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