Controller fatigue and systemic neglect linked to fatal crash
According to media reports and aviation experts, the plane crash in Washington could have resulted from years of systemic neglect. They primarily point to controller fatigue and the increase in flight numbers. On Thursday, a collision between a passenger plane and a helicopter resulted in the deaths of 67 people.
According to Politico, fatigued controllers and the growing number of flights are problems that have remained unresolved for decades.
The media believe that these issues and years of systemic neglect may have contributed to the tragedy in Washington.
On Thursday evening, a passenger plane flying from Kansas collided with a military helicopter on a training flight. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River.
Everyone on board both aircraft perished, including 64 people on the plane and three soldiers on the helicopter.
Systemic problems in US aviation
Experts and aviation industry workers point to a range of systemic problems. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation, examining, among other things, flight controller fatigue and communication errors. Preliminary findings indicate that controllers instructed the helicopter crew to watch for the approaching plane, but the causes of the collision remain unclear.
There is an estimated shortage of about 3,000 controllers in the U.S. Jim Hall, former NTSB chairman, highlights the need to rebuild the aviation system following the loss of many skilled workers.
"We've lost a lot of skilled pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants," Hall said. Staffing shortages also arise from controllers retiring and the lengthy training period required for new specialists.
Crowded airports and traffic density
Ronald Reagan Airport, although small, is one of the busiest on the East Coast, handling 16 million passengers annually. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who opposes increasing the number of flights, emphasizes that "we have very busy airspace".
In 2023, 11 "near-miss" incidents were recorded, indicating a need for changes in the aviation system.
