FAA Report Reveals Air Traffic Control Staffing Shortage Before Deadly Crash

A preliminary investigation into the devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport found that the air traffic control tower was understaffed at the time of the crash. The report, obtained by The New York Times, highlights a critical lapse in personnel as an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet, leading to the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

FAA guidelines require two controllers to manage helicopter and plane traffic separately, but the report found that only one controller was working at the time. A supervisor had merged the two roles and sent another controller home early, despite the heavy traffic volume. The decision left one person handling all air movements before the deadly impact.

Tower at Reagan has been understaffed for years with only 19 of the 30 certified controllers the FAA calls for. pic.twitter.com/d0GQX4Qtfr

— SUPER DEPLORABLE ULTRA ☢️ NUCLEAR ☢️ KING MAGA Mat (@UltraMAGAMat) January 30, 2025

Investigators also noted that Reagan National’s air traffic control tower has struggled with staffing for years. The facility has just 19 fully certified controllers, far below the 30 needed for proper operations. While the FAA has faced increasing shortages, the issue was flagged as a significant risk months before this crash occurred.

The FAA was below DEI quotas for ATC’s at Reagan Airport control tower.

Last night the tower was only 2/3 staffed.

I’ll say it.

Rather than hiring white guys to fill openings they chose to be understaffed. pic.twitter.com/TeH4slRviR

— Grumpy Grandpa 🇺🇸 (@GmbPhoenix) January 31, 2025

Search and recovery efforts remain underway, with first responders pulling victims from the Potomac River. The jet, which originated in Wichita, Kansas, was carrying members of the U.S. Figure Skating team. The Black Hawk was on a training flight from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with three service members aboard.

Incredible clip from March of 2023 on aviation close calls. Buttigieg talked about the rise in close calls at a summit. He's good at talking, it's the doing he struggles with.

Recommendations not being followed. Extremely understaffed. It was just a matter of time. pic.twitter.com/gmvMlULArR

— MAZE (@mazemoore) January 31, 2025

The NYT reports that air traffic controllers have been sleeping, drinking, and getting high on the job. Some have even been violent at the workplace.

Many ATCs are simply unqualified. It isn't just that they're understaffed! pic.twitter.com/PAd5oQYYsv

— Patrick Casey (@restoreorderusa) January 30, 2025

Concerns over aviation safety have led to a swift response from federal officials. President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for a full review of FAA hiring practices and safety protocols, citing concerns about past administration policies contributing to systemic failures.

Understaffed for years…. pic.twitter.com/aYZ82vEo9G

— Chris Miller (@chrismiller88) January 31, 2025

FAA leadership remains under scrutiny as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the crash “absolutely preventable.” Meanwhile, black box data from both aircraft has been recovered and is being analyzed by investigators.