Washington Accident: Reagan Airport Control Tower Was Understaffed at the Time of the Incident
A single air traffic controller was managing communications with both airplanes and helicopters—an unusually high workload, according to the FAA.
A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the recent collision at Ronald Reagan National Airport revealed that staffing levels in the control tower were not in line with the usual requirements for the volume of air traffic at the time.
According to the document, reviewed by The New York Times, a single air traffic controller was simultaneously managing communications with both helicopters and airplanes—tasks that are typically assigned to two separate operators.
This workload imbalance can hinder coordination, as controllers use different radio frequencies to communicate with each type of aircraft, preventing pilots from hearing instructions given to others.
Reagan National’s control tower has been operating with a staffing shortage for years. According to the FAA’s annual workforce report to Congress, as of September 2023, the tower had 19 certified controllers—nearly 30% below the target of 30 employees. Factors such as staff turnover and budget constraints have led many controllers to work up to six days a week and 10-hour shifts.
Comentarios
Para comentar, debés estar registrado
Por favor, iniciá sesión