Systemic neglect blamed for fatal Washington air collision
According to both media outlets and aviation experts, the plane crash in Washington may have been the result of years of systemic neglect. They primarily highlight controller fatigue and the increase in the number of flights. On Thursday, 67 people lost their lives due to the collision between a passenger plane and a helicopter.
Fatigued controllers and the growing number of flights are issues that, according to Politico, have remained unresolved for decades. The media believe these factors, combined with years of systemic neglect, may have contributed to the tragedy in Washington.
On Thursday evening, a passenger plane travelling from Kansas collided with a military helicopter that was on a training flight. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River.
All those 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 initiated an investigation, which includes examining flight controller fatigue and communication errors. Preliminary findings suggest that controllers instructed the helicopter crew to be aware of the approaching plane, although the actual causes of the collision remain unclear.
It is estimated that there is a shortage of approximately 3,000 controllers in the USA. Jim Hall, former NTSB chairman, highlights the need to rebuild the aviation system after the loss of many skilled workers.
Hall noted that there has been a significant loss of experienced pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants. The situation is further exacerbated by a shortage of controllers due to retirements, along with the extensive training required for new specialists.
Crowded airports and air traffic density
Although small, Ronald Reagan Airport 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, emphasises that "we have very busy airspace".
In 2023, 11 "near-miss" incidents were recorded, indicating a need for changes in the aviation system.
