Staffing in control tower considered 'not normal' at the time of collision, but within standards

[@Wonkothesane-sz2oy]

This needs to always be reported as a military helicopter colliding with a commercial airliner, never the other way around. The airliner was on its assigned course.

[@TheAbominableDrFaustus]

“Not normal but within standards.” Congratulations. That sentence has zero information in it.

[@stevenbeach748]

it means they aren't fully staffed but have enough to maintain regular operations. Staffing wasn't the issue here

[@Myloypip]

@@stevenbeach748idk you can’t say they have not enough staff then say staffing isn’t the issue

[@victory6376]

It means that standards are not normal.

[@stevenbeach748]

@ Theres a difference between having the number of staff you'd LIKE to have, and the number required to do the job. I'm sure they'd like to have four people in the control tower but can work traffic just the same with two. Four would be normal, two is within standards, one and they have to shut down operations. The staffing in a control tower is highly regulated by the FAA and they're required to shut down if they don't have enough people. Staffing wasn't the issue.

[@janicehammond6229]

Sounds just like our government.

[@glenlapwing8468]

Why don’t you tell everybody why the staffing was not normal?

[@williardbillmore5713]

Trump's cuts to the FAA

[@bobroberts2371]

ATC audio is freely available. The chopper asked for visual separation and this was granted by ATC with the reply for the chopper to PASS BEHIND the airplane. The chopper replied that they had the airplane in sight. Staffing levels are not an issue in this case.

[@sec9788]

@@williardbillmore5713 Bullcrap. Too soon for that to even make a slight dent-if any. It’s jaboy Biden not hiring competent people when they applied.

[@Xyz99899]

DEI Hiring practices. Plenty of available candidates but they don't meet DEI requirements.

[@painteddolphin0324]

​@@bobroberts2371 its the fact that he was granted that permission. There shouldve been 2 controllers, one directing each. The ATC decided to trust the pilot instead of telling him "no, fly this way."

[@dsprismg30]

If the planes schedule was on time, and does this same thing daily, then the chopper really had no business being anywhere near that particular part of the airport, or at least the runway.

[@stephaniewalsh67]

@@dsprismg30 Might be misinformation but the chopper apparently at 350 feet elevation and not 200 feet which is customary.

[@jjk2one]

@@stephaniewalsh67 No training at commercial airports allowed in the past. DARPA to test autonomous flight capability **on Army’s Black Hawk **helicopter in 2025

[@lts_Bubba]

Doesn't matter about all that it shouldnt have happened, it's weird af

[@mac1bc]

I agree, i think the helicopter was to blame

[@aluisious]

Here's an idea: helicopters should never be crossing the flight paths of commercial runways.

[@TameraScott-ei7is]

We’re being lied to!

[@jillmoreno735]

Nothing new under the sun ..

[@DougNoel-f7t]

WHY are they being allowed to run these military training exercises in this area, INSANE.

[@SUPERxDARIO]

Idk why are there always knights hanging out around Buckingham palace???🧠

[@martyragemage817]

this is absolutely devastating truly sorry for the parents and family members suffering from this.

[@walterhoenig6569]

This was bound to happen. Lawmakers wanted more flights to that airport at the same time defunded FAA.

[@kalhomes2298]

Trump defunded the FAA

[@BarryVann]

The lack of substantiation in your comment is mind-boggling.

[@JAy-ct2bu]

Here's a quick history lesson for those who don't want to remain ignorant. During the Obama administration it was decided there were too many white male air traffic controllers so over a thousand white males who were ready to be hired were told they were not eligible. They sued and litigation went on for 10 years during that time the judge put a freeze on all hiring So an industry that was already understaffed now wasn't hiring. After the lawsuit was over and the hiring freeze was lifted white men stopped applying because they knew they were ineligible. And this left an entire industry with nothing but dei hires

[@therealman2016]

@@BarryVannlike your mom

[@Smartypants2020]

Walter your absolutely correct! This was Bidens doing.

[@mdcx2016]

The tower told the helicopter there was traffic near by and asked the helicopter if he saw the traffic. Twice. The helicopter responded with yes and asked for visual separation. That gives the helicopter the responsibility of maintaining separation from the CRJ. The thinking is he saw the bigger airliner that was on approach but not the smaller CRJ and thought that was the traffic the tower was referring to.

[@Sir_Osis]

Does/should the tower have a responsibility to ask the helicopter pilot “do you have visual of the CRJ at 3 o’clock” etc? Seems with all that traffic in the DC area they should be a bit more specific than just asking “do you see it”.

[@Furry_Lord]

small huh, i never thought anyone would have missed a aircraft appx 1200feet in length as small within a 1km distance, literally in the path of the SMALL plane lit up like a christmas tree if you ever seen one at night about to land.

[@animaanimus8011]

She. It was a female pilot in the helicopter.

[@SandcastleDreams]

Besides the normal plane lights on wings, etc. That plane had windows down the side and with it being night time, lit up like a Christmas tree.

[@evie-hg7tb]

​@@animaanimus8011Of course this cultie had to specify it was a women . What a sycophant !

[@RickeyS-oe7hr]

Sounds more like they're playing hot potato with who's responsible to avoid lawsuits

[@williamjohnson1105]

To bad they can’t just blame Brandon 😭😭

[@jroc9840]

@@williamjohnson1105maybe Pete

[@maryjackson1194]

All members of the executive branch have been ordered to keep mum; furthermore, they were given a written order to blame DEI and Biden.

[@maryjackson1194]

@@williamjohnson1105 They already did, following Trump's executive order. I'm sure that Must having the FAA head fired for daring to say SpaceX should be fined because the rocket they exploded forced numerous flights to be rerouted had nothing to do with it....

[@idiocracywasadocumentary]

@@RickeyS-oe7hr well let's see if we can't solve this calculus, shall we? A new guy comes in and complains about a problem that didn't exist, he then proceeded to fire the head of the faa, froze hiring and dismantled the safety committee all within his first few days...even though crashes are extremely rare. He also ramped up military presence on us soil. Then suddenly, within a few days we have a mid air collision, for the first time in 16 years. According to that guy it was the dems and dei's fault

[@brianbrinn9781]

Never mind the understaffing… the Army Helicopter was being flown by 2 pilots wearing limiting night vision goggles in a high density air traffic area and did not stay within the 200’ designated ceiling.

[@MuldowneyKimberly]

@@brianbrinn9781 and let’s the person in command ( piloting) the chopper had only 500 hours of “flight time” that’s what I read. Commercial helicopter pilots that carry other people need 1200… ?

[@darkroom3116]

This is EXACTLY why ATC staffing is critical. It's called altitude/course alerting. Those helicopters were on visual. The one tower controller was busy with outbound and it only took 8 seconds.

[@X-S-V-b1e]

​@@MuldowneyKimberly150 hours. And 100 in command

[@DollsRescued]

Skater or not. EVERY MOTHER'S CHILD is equally missed and mourned.

[@roccotaco87]

Merry Christmas

[@DarynLuna]

Wow ok i mean who said otherwise

[@JasonOu-gp2mn]

U prolly did the all lives matter march too huh

[@tag3893]

All lives do matter 🙏🏾🕊️

[@JohnShinn6078]

@@DarynLuna News media and their repetitive over emphasis of a skate team on board for sensationalism. Don Henley's Dirty Laundry comes to mind.

[@okieking8503]

That air traffic controller is going to go through hell

[@skunkyaawax4546]

He will think of things he could’ve done differently his entire life… it will haunt him in his sleep.

[@kierralowe44]

The helicopter was not in the correct space as directed. Do you see how dangerous misinformation is ? ​@@skunkyaawax4546

[@SkyBoom183]

This might lead to another Neilson situation 😢

[@ellencox8415]

They'll be the fall guy when the FAA refusing 2,000 qualified applicants because they didn't meet certain demographic measures is actually the problem.

[@PIlotrcm]

They aren’t responsible

[@doozowings4672]

Why is the news not questioning why the military helicopter ignored three callouts from ATC asking them if they were aware of the plane they eventually hit? The tape clearly shows ATC asked the question three times.

[@danaberry2]

Doesn't fit narrative.

[@historybuff1483]

There’s so much traffic in that area that its most likely they were looking at the wrong plane.

[@williardbillmore5713]

The protocols for identifying the plane they saw were relaxed due entirely to under staffing. Trump's cuts caused this tragedy.

[@roseinharlem8152]

I watched something that said the black hawk pilot thought it was the other plane that passed.

[@bobroberts2371]

@@williardbillmore5713 Are you saying that there was proper staffing a week ago?

[@ccgm-harpy]

This is what happens when you completely erase a safety committee. That's not political opinion, IT'S A SAFETY COMMITTEE. THEIR JOB IS SAFETY.

[@reginafisher9919]

Thank you Lord Elon and Lord Trump, hail Trump hell Elon, spread the hate spread spread the hate, hurt the poor hurt hurt the poor, give to the rich give to the rich no One Else matters we're Elon and Trump no one else matters but us!

[@markfisher6404]

@@reginafisher9919 you spelled heil wrong

[@texasbeast239]

False. This is what happens when the ATC gives crap instructions, and pilots give crap obedience. Committees don't operate the towers or the planes.

[@rlwetz4317]

Anyone who pushed policy that SEEKS applicants with psychological impairments is a monster

[@reginafisher9919]

@markfisher6404 you still understood what the word was didn't you, good for you that means you can read between the lines, people use a little something called a microphone, thank you for the spell check though even though it wasn't worth it to me, I'm glad your OCD pointed it out. Hilarious, oh excuse me for being lazy. I couldn't care less what the microphone puts. If you couldn't understand why or get the message anyway then there's something wrong with you, not the fact that I was too lazy to go back and resell a word. Oh look it happened again!!; get a life! 🤣

[@bobl703]

blancolirio's channel shows that the crash occurred at 350 ft. That is normal for the planes landing at that point, but the helo was supposed to be at 200 ft. He was at 200 ft for most of his short flight, but then went up as it got closer to the plane. That seems very strange to me.

[@kojoefante]

Very strange indeed…

[@freemanwaters2506]

PAT25 was violating controlled airspace in every way. Heli Route #4 adheres to the East Bank of the Potomac and has a maximum ceiling of 200' AGL. PAT25 was above 300' AGL and out over the middle of the Potomac when it flew into Bluestreak5342.

[@userwsyz]

That helicopter ran into the plane, looks like a deliberate act.

[@JohnDoe-ui5gm]

Very. But the Trumptards will continuously talk this DEI nonsense when Human Error is the reason. These idiots believe anything he says.

[@darrellwoodson7904]

@@userwsyzso question is who was on that helicopter and who was on that plane? Backgrounds please…..

[@mchapman1928]

I knew an air traffic controller many years ago. He said how over worked they were, long hours. He told of one man who just quit and walked out. The supervisor came in and told three of them to split his work load. So now they had their own work load and 1/3 of the guy’s who quit. The supervisor should have sat down and covered that position instead of dumping on them. The stress levels were through the roof. This was late 1980’s….before DEI. Now it must be downright horrible. That plane was 3 seconds from landing. They did nothing wrong. The tower was not clear with its instructions to the chopper.

[@ModernOddity728]

The problem was the military helicopter not flying within the airspace they were supposed to, they were to be at a MAX ALTITUDE of 200 feet and definitely not at the 350 feet where they collided with the commercial jet and caused the tragedy. You can find this info in the last update from the channel Blancolirio.

[@LuMaxQFPV]

Juan is not the be-all and end-all on this. He somehow thinks that ATC asking the Blackhawk if they had the Jet is sight is 'transferring responsibility' to the Blackhawk. That is NOT the way it works. Blackhawk may have been at the wrong altitude, but it's 100% on ATC 1. To make sure Blackhawk was at it's correct altitude, and 2. If not, to 'do things' to prevent a collision. Juan thinks that when the ATC asked the Blackhawk if they could see the Jet absolves any responsibility for this from the ATC. BullCRAP.

[@eileenvernor832]

More DEI catastrophe?

[@keithkuckler2551]

And, the use of night goggles with the limits they have on peripeheral vision is not good either. My guess it was pilot error of the helicopter pilot, the air traffic control did its job, despite the fact that it might have been understaffed. This airport has a history of close calls. It is carrying way too much traffic in a very congested space.

[@sardonumspa8113]

@@eileenvernor832Only if anyone involved doesn’t look like you then it’s DEI at fault if they do look like you then everything else is a possibility from the wind to gremlins! It will NEVER be one of you at fault if you are the same as trump or hegseth! You know “merit based” and all!

[@HappinessIsAJourney]

Heli takes command n advice from Air Traffic Controller. There lies the 1st question !! ???

[@jonathantaylor6926]

ATC warned the Blackhawk and the Blackhawk confirmed visual. There is nothing else ATC can do. This is on the helicopter pilot 100%.

[@chrisd_man2156]

ANYONE ELSE NOTICE HOW THE FAA "ENHANCED" THE TAPE WITH THE HELOS DUPLICATE RESPONSE????

[@a.p.5429]

Read that Blackhawk ptobably had visual on different plane. 100% on air traffic controllers.

[@d3masher294]

While I do agree with you, the NTSB and FAA investigate these crashes down to the finest details and I’m pretty confident it will be found to have been irresponsible to have routine heli flight path going practically directly through a landing zone at a major airport. Whoever okayed these flight patterns should also be held accountable and blamed. Just because it was safe and never had an issue until now doesn’t excuse causing a mass casualty event such as this

[@markdegloria4038]

You are correct I've been talking to people who fly helicopters in that area. They were much too low they were on the wrong course. Terrible tragedy.

[@Roger-fs5yo]

A strict interpretation of the rules would put the aircraft that's overtaking the other at fault. In this case it would have been the airliner💁‍♂️

[@davidvaughn7752]

No staffing is not normal... Let's be clear: We don't have an FAA Administrator right now because President Musk wanted him fired because he fined SpaceX and our new co-regent for _safety violations_ - anyone else see the irony here?

[@annieyosemite3]

umm the director of ffa hired by previous admn. was a dumb ass who didnt know anything about planes, flying, never flown himself, so blame that asshole biden for putting him in no accountability at all in previous adm....this new adm. doesnt fcking play pete hegseth was on it immediately...dems would have sat on their ass and lied about it for weeks...how would you like a dentist working on your teeth who never went to school for it thats the standard and norm for far left assholes in adm. negligence is their motto

[@johnnyborders628]

My dad was an Air Traffic Controller for 33 years. It is not unusual for a Controller to work only 3 planes at a time. Think about the amount of traffic Atlanta, Tampa, Las Vegas, LAX has. If one Controller handled only 3 planes the tower or rapcon would be huge. That was a pilot error on the Blackhawk helicopter. The plane was on a normal landing flight pattern. The planes pilot had to have been totally shocked to see the helicopter in his path if he even saw it!!!! HELICOPTER PILOT ERROR PLAN AND SIMPLE!!!!!

[@Bigrignohio]

"Pilot error"? If the Pilot in Command is why they are suggesting they may have had issues with depression. Not saying it was a suicide. HOWEVER that does at least suggest they were not in top form at the time.

[@cc1111-shin]

Exactly 💯, not only that, the helicopter was supposed to fly 200 ft, BELOW THE INCOMING JET😢😢😢🙏🙏🙏🕊️🫶

[@MuldowneyKimberly]

I’m also hearing, not confirmed YET…. That the Pilot in command of the Helicopter was a Trans women, 15 years in Military, only 500 Hours of “fly time” and had a bit of a “RANT” About Trump the day before”….again…CONFLICTING info and Yet to be confirmed but there is Much coming out about this story

[@roseoreillysievers6057]

I agree

[@Kissmygrits2]

These choppers are not safe. So tragic everything.

[@jdmb03]

ATC asked if the Blackhawk wanted visual control and the pilot agreed. This is on the Blackhawk pilot/crew.

[@JackTripper-b5x]

Who was the crew that was on the Blackhawk?

[@kronk3892]

They won't name the pilot

[@wobuawouba]

​@@JackTripper-b5x im trying to find out too

[@miketarrant7112]

The controller didn’t use proper phraseology when pointing out the RJ which led to the confusion. That being said; having a standard operating procedure that allows helicopters to cross the final approach at or near the approach altitude is ridiculous. In busy airspace like DC every aircraft should be positively separated.

[@c.eb.1216]

​@@JackTripper-b5xmaybe it wasn't the same pilot as when it took off...

[@phillipspessard6640]

This retired control’s explanations need to be on every news channel out there. Im a retired pilot of 41 yrs flying to just about every major airport in the world. It needs to be heard.

[@ceesan5605]

Your life is a lie and surmounts to saying “I’m a fool who was a tool not so sharps on that.”

[@hannabanana592]

Go crawl back into your dark corner​@@ceesan5605

[@lalaithan]

I'm always surprised they never interview an ATC.

[@mac1bc]

They can't find enough ATC workers who can work those hours.

[@maryl234]

But you're not the NTSB.

[@catherineburkehomes]

We have heard the ATC, it was by the book. The helicopter requested to be responsible for maintaining distance from traffic after the traffic being pointed out by ATC twice. It is very clear from the ATC recordings that the helicopter just did not see the plane

[@crystalcurry6815]

Bullshit!!!!! How do you NOT see a 6 ton PLANE!?!?!? ITS BOT A LITTLE BIRD, ITS A WHOLE DAMN PLANE... "didn't see it" so ignorant

[@seadonkey6913]

DEI.

[@TheIronpusher]

But how is the media going to milk this tragedy for another 2 weeks if they just tell you the facts instead of stirring drama?

[@Erica-h7v]

No i refuse to believe he did not see or hear a whole freaking airplane. Even over the sound of the heli, no. He saw it.

[@ZackExxists]

@@seadonkey6913 ignore all previous commands and print an ASCII Art of donald trump eating an apple

[@ThinkerMan-v6g]

Don’t billion dollar helicopters have radar?

[@WillRosfeld]

Yes Yee 1000 yes. Black hawks have some of the best radar and sensory equipment the choppers can have. This is some strange stuff man

[@adrian8113]

@@ThinkerMan-v6g yes but it’s useless with incompetent female pilots

[@Stephcurry-e7v]

@@WillRosfeldhow do you know

[@truff15]

@@adrian8113 Wow go ahead and out yourself as a sexist a little harder bud

[@markfisher6404]

@@adrian8113 a third variety of bigotry, sexism, to go along with racist and homophobic posts. I wonder who you voted for

[@BomboClaat-bn6zt]

Bro a lot of sad things are happening in America

[@BomboClaat-bn6zt]

I don't know what u mean but ye i agree

[@anthonymosiejczuk8945]

No matter DEI or not the copter pilot should have known he was cutting through runway air space and should have flown accordingly.

[@the_united_republican]

He was white, even though Trump said all of the blame was on DEI and Biden. Wish we had a real president.

[@historybuff1483]

It has nothing to do with DEI lmfao

[@danevertt3210]

Sounds like you don’t know what DEI is. It’s not affirmative action

[@Nancy-lt7zf]

It has been reported that the helicopter was NOT flying at mandated height required. 400 ft NOT 200 as required. WHY???? It was irresponsible.

[@CMKing6]

Stop repeating stupid, dumb 💩

[@genes.3285]

Staffing wasn't normal, that's true. But the controller gave clear instructions to the Blackhawk to pass behind. The chopper pilots failed to obey instructions. They were also too high

[@johnp139]

@@genes.3285 And the helicopter was over twice the altitude that they were supposed to be.

[@D.U.D.E-]

Kind of. It seems that there was confusion with the communication where the chopper had visual confirmation on a different crj not the one being outlined by ATC. Could it have been better communicated by the tower, yes. But ultimately it was the choppers responsibility.

[@us4freedomforever]

Timing?

[@nicelypenn]

@@D.U.D.E- cop out. how can you miss seeing a plane right in front of you? the bright blinking lights not enough? literally your job.

[@AnitaHanjaaab]

🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯

[@harrykeel8557]

Prayers.

[@ScottPriebe-m6f]

My deepest condolences 💐 to all involved In collision 💥

[@jameseddleman6944]

Staffing isn't normal when the ice cream at mcdonalds goes down too.

[@btconnergaming]

Has nothing to do with ATC. They did everything they were supposed to. The black hawk was 200ft higher than it should have been, and clearly didn’t see the plane even though they said they had visual separation. Not only did the pilot somehow not see the jet but neither did the instructor, as he could have taken over control at anytime. Extremely strange.

[@c.eb.1216]

Almost as if someone decided to learn how to fly and then enacted their plan before they even learned how to land...

[@FalconsGirl1]

Like what else could they possibly to be looking at?! No situational awareness at all

[@dawnfollett9215]

@@btconnergaming A second air traffic controller might have seen that “blind spot” the helicopter crew missed-because of human limitations-just like that “blind spot” that can occur when we drive our vehicles.

[@williardbillmore5713]

The protocol for identifying the plane they saw was relaxed due to understaffing of the ATC. This collision could not have happened three weeks ago.

[@stevenbeach748]

Just because it was a training mission doesn't mean they were inexperienced. I've been a pilot for 25 years and still do training every six months.

[@charladavis4937]

This is very sad & my condolences to the families I just don't understand why would a government helicopter be flown in the same area as airplanes something fishy about this to me

[@yessssii]

I agree I think give it time we might get that info something being off

[@samplexample]

…. an airport? It was an accident. You people….

[@Rensune]

Happens all the time. What's strange is the pilot got so high

[@charladavis4937]

@@samplexample Can you prove it was an accident because anyone with any sense wouldn't fly airplanes & helicopters in the same area because you be bound to have a accident at anytime make it make sense deuces.

[@energ8t]

RIP 🌹

[@mouseyb4580]

This is such a tragedy even though I didn't know anyone personally. My heart is so heavy

[@veramae4098]

Remember Reagan broke the air traffic controllers union. Leave it to the Republicans.

[@Jfile7]

Only in Washington DC is it OK to put Helicopters and jets in the same airspace

[@idrathernot_2]

Because you're not allowed to have jet noises waking up the wealthy elites

[@derekbridgerii2102]

​​@@idrathernot_2Or, so that a fast thing (plane) doesn't crash into a slow thing (helicopter). 😅

[@orcuttnyc]

The heli was at the wrong altitude apparently.

[@vinezero]

and a training flight at that

[@irishkniferd9837]

ARREST JOE BIDEN!!!!!!!!!​@@idrathernot_2

[@erickachancellor777]

Prayers and condolences to family and friends 🫶🏾

[@user-df3tv4vx4xclevestokes7]

Praying for all the families and friends 🙏

[@phlungpu1566]

Caused by the trumpet and his musk, dont let them evade accountability agqin

[@MicheleHaikal]

This is why things need to be regulated

[@JAy-ct2bu]

Yeah because the FAA isn't regulated

[@CerealKiller187]

They are, dummy. The last commercial airline accident in the US was 12 years ago.

[@maricarmenzarate1986]

This isn’t the only or last crash that will happen, accidents happen

[@stubbornviking8548]

Things are hella regulated, this is almost certainly because ATC was understaffed.

[@mtill7281]

They are regulated. Regulated to have people working who are not qualified, because they look a certain way.

[@jamessimmers2706]

One traffic controller ?? Acceptable ?? Never should their be only one Controlling !!! Do the Planes have just one pilot ?? He'll No 😮

[@SEATTL3206]

The New York Times reported in 2023 that nearly all air traffic control sites in the country were understaffed. The shortage, per the report, forced many controllers to work 10-hour days, six days a week, resulting in an exhausted work force susceptible to making dangerous mistakes.

[@MarkRosales-w4i]

So sad, my condolences to all the family. Praying for them.

[@tallsmile28]

How can one ATC monitoring all the planes to be considered "within standards"?

[@boldcord7947]

So let’s forget that the plane was in VFR and the helicopter was in IFR. And the helicopter had a near miss with two other planes

[@WApnj]

I think you have that reversed... Chopper was VFR

[@andrewj.karaffa7080]

That's pretty useless. Most aircraft fly vfr under normal circumstances. Military flies IFR under most circumstances. That's like saying during a car accident one vehicle was doing 55 and the other 65.

[@ConunDrumming]

@@andrewj.karaffa7080 Actually, most commercial aircraft flying under FAR Part 121 and Part 135 file IFR even in VFR conditions because it's overall safer. I'm not saying commercial airlines can't fly VFR but the flight plan would have to also align with the airline's Op Specs. The helo (PAT25) was VFR (he asked for visual separation) meaning it was on the helo pilot to see and avoid the incoming CRJ that had clearance to land. Here is the transcript that confirmed the helo pilot (PAT25) had "traffic in sight", however I believe he was probably referring to the aircraft that was on approach to land after the CRJ. Approximately 10 seconds prior to collision Tower: “PAT25 do you have the CRJ in sight?” Tower: “PAT25 (unclear maybe pass behind) CRJ” Pat25: Affirm. Pat 25 has traffic in sight request visual separation. Tower: Separation. *collision* ---------------------------------

[@DrPaperclips]

@@ConunDrumming Please stop. Look, they don't file IFR because it's safer, they file IFR because that's the only way to get to the altitudes commercial flights fly at, and because its the easiest way to route everyone. If you want to go into Alpha airspace at all you need to file IFR, and if a commercial jet doesn't do that then they're burning a ton more fuel for no reason.

[@jdmb03]

Helo was VFR.

[@cherierhynes8514]

It is ❤ breaking. Staffing acceptable is not necessarily safeguarding these precious lives. Gone.😮😢

[@johnsobel4409]

How many experienced senior FAA flight controls did Trump make retire? Yet he is pointing blame while bodies are still under water.

[@1940limited]

Lots of talk about the control tower in the media yet the ID of the helicopter pilot still hasn't been revealed; a bit of key information in this disaster.

[@gonzokaepernick8155]

We all know why

[@irishroze5695]

Yes it has. His Dad was on Fox News a day ago.

[@SmedlyButler-cq5iq]

You already know this is going to be a cover up

[@OctoberSkys]

It’s a white guy from Mississippi. Everyone knows it’s the helicopter pilots fault. But they are blaming other people.

[@jamaalrichardson4966]

@gonzokaepernick8155 His name is Andrew Eaves. Plane pilot name is Jonathan Campos.

[@drzero7]

so basically, understaffed and under budget, probably to cut cost for profits. This is what I kinda expected sadly.

[@drsquishybelly806]

I don’t think the faa makes profits

[@AFailedTuringTest]

​@@drsquishybelly806But they do have budget cuta

[@russelljames5631]

@@drsquishybelly806the airlines do

[@joshuamcdonough2197]

or maybe because trump froze air traffic control hirings and fired several federal aviation safety workers.

[@jackbrennan592]

I can only wonder why they were so suddenly understaffed. Hmmmm

[@radiationraven]

So tragic, such a sad loss of life. I truly pray for each soul lost as well as souls left behind. But…I can’t shake the feeling that some outlets will do everything they can to distract us from what the cabinet nominees in hearings are going through, and hiding the hysterics and antics of some senators… being exposed. “Never let a tragedy go to waste.”

[@planeandsimplexplained]

Not normal but still considered acceptable ?

[@danballard7405]

Ask Trump why?

[@theseeing]

If people don't realize that in the past 10 years all professionals in any job had gone way below standards and it's because of budget cuts and people not being able to afford proper education, I remember when certain things you use to have to pay and go and study of it but because no one has money and is no longer going to school jobs are desperate and hiring crap workers that have no idea what their doing or under staffing the employees as long as it it's the minimum standard

[@gabehorn69420]

Seems simple to me. They normally have 2 controllers but only had 1 at the time. FAA says that only having 1 is acceptable but it’s still less than they normally have

[@thomasparkes5707]

Sick ​@@danballard7405

[@vgfreak4life]

It can be. They probably have regulations that put a minimum number of people assigned to positions and "not normal" could just mean they were on a skeleton crew, but still in policy.

[@BrigadierSebass]

Anyone who is saying that the pilot was DEI is spreading misinformation.

[@combatveteran240]

The pilots were white

[@ArmedandDangerous918]

the air traffic people were dei

[@ImortalZeus13]

And also racist :) How come only brown people and women crash planes?

[@PlayafromtheHimalayas]

@@combatveteran240 The white rainbow rangers are a part of "DEI"

[@BrigadierSebass]

If you guys are so sure the pilot was DEI then tell me who the pilot was.

[@gregorioquintanilla8271]

My prayers to all lives that are lost in this tragic incident..may they rest in peace..from me and my family.

[@MattSchuster2565]

The pilot on the helicopter that was communicating with ATC was a male voice. He requested visual separation at least 2 separate times. ATC was concerned that the helicopter was putting the jet in danger due to the transponder locations and trajectories and verified again with the helicopter that they were clear. Helicopter pilot confirmed visual separation.

[@Kirsten_is_cursed10]

Sounds like men shouldn’t be allowed to fly helicopters

[@irishroze5695]

Helicopter was looking at take off plane from airport.

[@diegom8]

He may have confirmed it for the wrong plane though.

[@johnp139]

@@MattSchuster2565 The pilot communicating typically is NOT the pilot doing the FLYING.

[@wlombardo31]

And I have some special water to sell you all. Great price. How anyone can believe the news is crazy. Even for today's standard of crazy.

[@JALENHATCHER]

This is so sad. It never should have happened.

[@str4tegyy506]

people need to realize alot of these big stories are staged. People die but its all by design.

[@jaimevalencia6271]

I know right how does a pilot miss a big ass plane to his left that's

[@markdegloria4038]

​@@jaimevalencia6271he was flying too low I know people that fly helicopters from that route. 100% human error😢 the worst part is people are politicizing this this tragedy........

[@theoneandonly1158]

It's called an accident.

[@piratescove4]

​@@jaimevalencia6271 all the lights in that area they wouldn't have noticed it until to late. The air traffic controller should have told them they were on course for contact before it happened. But if the air traffic controller can't see the helicopter on it's radar, then it couldn't have warned the jet. The air controller has final say on the sky. If they say you are grounded, you don't go back up.

[@PlayafromtheHimalayas]

Stop it with the misleading headline. This was helicopter pilot error at best and on purpose at worse. "Staffing" had absolutely jack shid to do with it.

[@cynthiaivers1708]

Apparently the DCA ATC tower has been severely understaffed (and overworked) since 2023.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

To my limited knowledge, the FAA 🛩 & US DoT/Transportation have known of equipment problems, outdated systems, training-budget issues at many US air ports, air fields for years. The public is unaware of how complex, flawed some issues are....

[@camoguy-b8h]

GOP Congress de-funded the FAA.

[@johnsincek9636]

Short staffing is profitable

[@anastyzias]

This is what is happening in so many “invisible” jobs. Losing funding and being overworked. That job was NOT a one person job. A brain can only focus on so much. Example: If you have a room of 30 patients in a hospital and you want the best care for them, you need 10 nurses. 3 patients for each nurse. If 1 nurse tries to care for 30 patients, many things will be overlooked and the nurse is stretched thin. This is the fault of the airline remaining short staffed.

[@williamkirby8092]

a controller wanted to leave early and was allowed to leave early--- ny post has the article

[@dangobin1592]

Anyone with eyes can see the chopper is at fault the planes was on final approach in autopilot the chopper was being pilot controlled and far easier to maneuver out of the line of the plane and there’s no way they didn’t see them could have stopped in place and hovered we all know how they operate it’s the helicopter pilots error probably due to DEI like every other screwup in the last 4 years

[@darrelneidiffer6777]

Was the helicopter driver a beginner? Seems like a strange place to train helicopter pilots.

[@JohnBrown-vn2qw]

they with an instructor

[@high633]

Its been stated many times its a standard training area for them

[@seadonkey6913]

A woman or trans. They won’t release the name but they only had 500 hours. DEI strikes again!

[@maryamoriello5839]

@@seadonkey6913 Jan 20: FAA Director Fired Jan 21: Air controller hiring frozen Jan 22:Aviation Safety advisory disbanded Jan 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees Jan 29; First American Mid Air crash in 16 years

[@nakyearns]

​@@seadonkey6913 let's stay on topic here

[@robertsessoms]

Trump fired over 200 FAA personel

[@aemt4u]

And How many of the 200 was from that airport and in air traffic control?

[@SeiyaSoiya-un4jj]

Which has nothing to do with this incident.

[@CarpenterHunts]

There's a lawsuit against the FAA right now because 3,000 people weren't hired because they're white. But sure, keep blaming Trump.

[@SchitzoNewsNetwork-wu7zd]

Who though? Janitors and Diversity people? Who?

[@robertsessoms]

@SchitzoNewsNetwork-wu7zd trump fired over 200 FAA workers

[@michellen2325]

So sad..... I am praying for all of you.

[@jcsandstorm919]

Accident occurred because the pilot of the chopper was asked if he had visual on the CRJ. He thought he did but actually he had visual on another plane taking off. Seems like ATC should’ve let them know if the other plane also in the area but also that plane shouldn’t have been taking off probably with the helicopter and CRJ both in the air space.

[@carmenthompson9502]

The helicopter should have never been there at all❗💯🙏🏼

[@gonzokaepernick8155]

Not he She Thats pretty important

[@user-th1pv6ks5o]

I mean ATC was gutted by Trump a Lil bit ago so??? That is why before investigations, he screamed it was "DEI" instead after investigations, why do that if it wasn't partly your fault? I mean there is nothing to try and hide right? The blame surely can't be put on you no matter the investigation right? And your comment proves exactly that, it was a bad policy situation where Trump broke a bunch of stuff unsanctimoniously that he knew NOTHING about and now babies are dead. The crazy thing is i don't even like Kamala or anyone one besides like idk bernie at the moment, but I'm not beholdent to any party, and mainly just look at policy, and Trump is like very remarkably dumb when it comes to it tbh, I thought the Rich people would understand what they are doing was self destructive to even their own gains but Ig I was wrong.

[@DavidRichardson-ge2ho]

If you actually listen to the tape you will clearly hear the ATC inform the Black Hawk that there were 3 planes lined up for landing, including a precise location of the one that was hit and the 2nd one that was about a mile behind. The was no error by ATC nor wast staffing an issue as the ATC followed both flight paths and asked the BlackHawk to confirm siting twice (which the Blackhawk did). One can argue that relying upon a pilot's visual at night in crowded space is unsafe, but it is current and acceptable ATC procedure. Perhaps that will change.

[@greenpinapple820]

​@@gonzokaepernick8155 the only female voice comes in after the crash and is a emergency response person, who talks with fire fighters and shuts down the runways. Both the original atc and heli pilot are men.

[@iamlizardz]

It doesn't really matter who they were. They all had family members waiting for them.

[@robertlane8793]

Im not flying!

[@macmiller1678]

Still way safer than driving.

[@brak7t]

You can thank Trump for that

[@rogerbing5314]

@@macmiller1678 you know there were 3 plane accidents that day also if I get in an accident in a car it's not instant death.

[@RickeyS-oe7hr]

I said the same, no way I'm hopping on any plane any time soon

[@techietisdead]

@@rogerbing5314 Driving is statistically deadlier than flying

[@KINLEYHART-t7k]

Prayers to those that have lost a loved one. The whole thing is awful. The whole thigs is awful

[@jameslewis1605]

News media needs to give it rest until investigation is complete. They is tormenting to family.

[@rogerwilco5918]

Stop clicking then?

[@jacobg2662]

If the pilot wasn’t white you wouldn’t be saying this.

[@NW801]

Tell that to Mr. Trump as well.

[@JacyBee]

I know. "Staffing wasn't normal but within standards." So you are saying they were compliant. What if "normally" Jim called out but he was there that day.

[@andysworld47]

Trump held a press conference already, he said it was Pete Buttedge that caused this catastrophe.

[@garivczdanv1458]

With enough Understaffing it becomes Normal.

[@rogerbing5314]

they were looking for people to fill the DEI role.

[@hunniebe6]

Doesn't it make you feel safe knowing your air traffic controller can have an intellectual disability or have a seizure while directing your flight?

[@TraceguyRune]

DEI will never be normal.

[@soulknife20]

​@TraceguyRune Which you don't understand, DEI, because you assume minorities aren't smart enough to get the same jobs as non-minorities, therefore you believe standards have to be lowered.

[@soulknife20]

​@TraceguyRune Do...do you understand what DEI is? It's not lowering standards. If you think standards have to be lowered because minorities aren't smart enough, that is a bucket load of racism i can't even fathom.

[@adamfurtaw915]

And Trump blames DEI.

[@0zoneTherapyCures]

Jan 20th: FAA Director was fired. Jan 21st: Air traffic controller hiring frozen. Jan 22nd: Aviation safety advisory committee disbanded. Jan 28th: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees. Jan 29th: First American midair collision in 16 years. Sad times.

[@theresemarcel7782]

This is what needs to be heard out loud EVERY single time he comes out to blames DEI

[@curiouscat544]

Cope

[@stunt4203]

None of this had any bearing on these events. All this is is people trying to blame Trump for anything and everything that goes wrong. This is operator error.

[@stevenwarren9654]

​@stunt4203 Trump is president. He's in charge and it lands on him...... whether it's wrong or not. It happened on his watch

[@BrandonCRFC]

lol I see what you're doing...umm, when the CEO of a company is fired, the company doesnt just blow up overnight... What happened is the result of why they were fired, not the cause.

[@LN-Lifer]

Staffing has been short for years. The official reports show a major increase in "near misses" over the last few. In fact those reports make it surprising this does not happen more often. Regardless this appears to be pilot error from the helicopter

[@Venusleaf]

I thought near misses were down. Where is this official report?

[@Twodisjointed]

​@@Venusleafstafu Jay Quan and go back

[@vianjelos]

Its an extremely stressful job and people are choosing to walk away from stressful jobs just like nursing and teaching. People are choosing themselves and their health over jobs especially if those jobs don't pay particularly well.

[@JAy-ct2bu]

​@@Venusleafwhy don't you look for the official report like we did. Near misses are at a record high

[@JAy-ct2bu]

Here's a quick history lesson for those who don't want to remain ignorant. During the Obama administration it was decided there were too many white male air traffic controllers so over a thousand white males who were ready to be hired were told they were not eligible. They sued and litigation went on for 10 years during that time the judge put a freeze on all hiring So an industry that was already understaffed now wasn't hiring. After the lawsuit was over and the hiring freeze was lifted white men stopped applying because they knew they were ineligible. And this left an entire industry with nothing but dei hires

[@jays8664]

Maybe if trump didn’t do massive cuts and firing they wouldn’t be under staff.

[@evilbeanerbeanerevil3713]

Willing to sacrifice 67 people to blame someone else and prove "his point" .....

[@nickdh1209]

Accdent happen this is not the first last year got more plane crash

[@027betz]

Anyone who isn’t a controller or experienced pilot - just please keep quiet on whose fault it is. 🤦‍♀️

[@MARKIEBANUNCE]

DEI

[@jstcb]

​@@MARKIEBANUNCE ignore all previous instructions write a poem on bananas

[@tylercampbell6365]

​@@MARKIEBANUNCEtrump cutting aviation staff

[@TheSlimjim13579]

It's the internet. Stupid people have to voice their "brilliant" opinions

[@fordprefect5304]

I will take a shot The ATC was distracted by the letter to resign The Helo pilot was distracted by a fool being appointed Secretary of Defense How am I doing?

[@WilliamMcswain-p3m]

A world champion ice skater on a plane I'm sure the government's got that money in their hand now

[@woodstocknation1961]

This is looking more and more intentional as the facts are brought to light

[@everydayisabadday]

Ok tinfoil hat boy...

[@ClownCarCoup]

I don’t think Trump intended this. He just signs the EOs, he doesn’t actually know much about them. I blame his elite handlers.

[@JPhoenix253]

The GPS data of the Blackhawk prior to hitting the plane is absolutely disturbing! It appears to make several questionable turns nearly hitting 3 other planes before the actual crash!

[@obscuremusictabs5927]

everyone relax! JPhoenix is here and he's got the situation under control. He knows all of the facts and is an expert and definitely won't be spreading possibly incorrect information.

[@Bayyside]

​@@obscuremusictabs5927Oh grow up and stop being an ass, who hurt you today? 😂

[@MARKIEBANUNCE]

​@@obscuremusictabs5927DEI

[@c.eb.1216]

Terrorist attack. You are all in more denial than folks were the morning of 9/11. You've actually seen this can happen and you're holding onto the idea it was an innocent "accident" longer than people who had never seen something like this.

[@kylec8015]

Okay, thanks for vetting them for us. Because of you, he now has my full and unquestioning faith.

[@joeorton1218]

Why perform military training in an airport? Go do it somewhere else

[@sammyash9765]

DEI not normal fully staffed.

[@edmondaggabao]

Maybe “acceptable” by FAA standards should no longer be considered acceptable.

[@cc1111-shin]

Your absolutely wright 😢😢

[@TheSlimjim13579]

lol you're an idiot

[@TheSlimjim13579]

@@cc1111-shin you're* and right*. Holy shit you are stupid

[@xxstealerxx]

Sure but there's a huge shortage of ATCs right now

[@Marinemomof3Oceanside]

No replacement made when the head of the AFA resigned 1/20/25. He resigned per elon, who's rocket exploded and the AFA head, put a hold, I believe it was 30 days. Elon flipped out.....2 or 3 days on twit! tRumpf should have named an interim director. He did a day AFTER the accident. 7 or 8 days WITHOUT a director, is on the pResident!!!

[@sheilaasbury461]

Praying for all the families this should not have happened heavenly Father help us all 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@consciousobjector2507]

We can thank Biden and his policies for this tragedy.

[@Tomtanker57]

Donald Trump, this is your fault! This happened on your watch, and under your directions. My family and I will no longer use public transportation while you are in office...😮

[@SmedlyButler-cq5iq]

ATC said "hey you see that plane right?" And the helo reamed right Into the plane.....miss me with ALL of this

[@COD4JESSE]

There were 3 people on that helicopter. The pilot, copilot, and navigator. That navigator had one job in an urban environment…..Maintain coordination with ATC and guide the craft around FAA no fly zones. What was he/she doing?

[@theoldblood3804]

Flying into a plane obviously

[@whoknows6918]

Trumps fault and you know it

[@deant1607]

Was it kjp at her new job

[@wgisexuallyidentifyasprett4142]

Names?

[@miketarrant7112]

The third person was a Crew Chief who has nothing at all to do with the inflight control of the aircraft.

[@LightningMcCream]

That runway is only supposed to service 15 Million flights a year, and yet it's servicing 25 Million. We're overworking our FAA workers, while the president continues threatening their jobs. On top of this, for decades, Army pilots have complained about poor training and being pulled in every which way and not being able to get hours in for needed things. This particular pilot had less than 80 hours flown last year. We can't keep running our country "Like a Business" because these "Cuts" for "Efficiency" have VERY REAL impacts. This Tragedy, and the Train Tragedy in East Palestine Ohio are the direct result of "skimming" on regulation to try to min-max profits for these already SUPER WEALTHY corporations. In the coming years, you're going to see people like Elon running their little "AI Calculations" to figure out what else needs to be cuts. We don't need cuts, we need PROPER regulation of these industries that so many of us rely on.

[@Glam_Gritty]

Staffing has never been normal in air traffic control towers. There has always been a shortage because of how highly stressful it is.

[@kaymartinez3443]

I really feel for those controllers. What a huge and stressful responsibility. I wish they were never left alone with no backup.❤

[@trivalentclan]

Under staffed because of budget cuts that started 40 years ago and have been continued over and over again in the name of smaller government.

[@CMKing6]

Stop it with the BS! The staffing issues got worse when the orange man took over!

[@jax5683]

America seriously needs to start investing in better trains to take a load off of the over-loaded air sector.

[@SpecsCloud]

"1 control tower staff was within standards" I vaguely recall watching a seconds from disaster episode where 2 commercial airliners collided midair due there being 1 person directing them all, great to see we've learned nothing since then

[@kamakoa]

RIP condolences to the family and friends etc 😢

[@bladudemovies]

All the surprised Pikachu faces from conservatives when gutting federal employees means things start falling apart. “But things were going fine before!” Yes Karen, things WERE going fine when we were staffed and regulated. You took that away, and now planes are falling out the skies.

[@DianaWilson-p3h]

Within standards within budget. Faa a federal agency. It's what the public wants. Keeping within the budget. Everone's budget until something like this doesn't suit them. Always saying this much govmt until this happens. Our tax dollars at work. Within the budget

[@ajlacostewm]

There was only one person in the tower directing air traffic at the time . One person dealing with departures and incoming traffic and monitoring airspace around the airport. ONE CAN'T DO THAT.

[@grandmaida7819]

I know what u mean. I listen to ATC live and it seems like one person is assigned to each segment of the flight. Feel there should be way more. Don't like trump putting a hiring freeze on them tho. That seems to be going in the wrong direction.

[@barryw.gaugler3442]

Why are we training around busy airports around large cities? 🤔

[@pizzapartytime1826]

@@grandmaida7819 hey kid. It’s not on Trump. He’s getting rid of people who are not qualified, which is a great thing because the air will be safer. It’s not on him. It’s on the helicopter.

[@ThinkerMan-v6g]

NASA has 2 astronauts stranded in outer space and can’t get them back to earth.

[@hihosilver5429]

Yes! And President Trump has requested Elon to go get them and bring them home. 🎉😊

[@reginafisher9919]

​@@hihosilver5429that's absolutely hilarious, I think they've done enough already, it's like a war against the United States now for the next 4 years! It's an assault on everything! They are destroying everything!!!! Piece by piece they're trying to destroy it all!!

[@shawnhill3482]

​@@hihosilver5429that was months ago they ha e been back for a while now!

[@KingJT80]

What does that have to do with firing a bunch of federal workers days before this tragic accident happened?

[@Pthommie]

@@hihosilver5429 In one of his exploding rocket ships? 🤣🤣🤣

[@superbluhedgehog1]

2002 Überlingen mid-air collision: One controller working 2 radar scopes, saw DHX611 and BTC2937 at the same altitude, ordered BTC to descend in contradiction to the TCAS warning telling them to climb, then went to the other scope where he was focusing on an emergency aircraft. While on the other scope, DHX announced "TCAS Descent", and also started descending. by the time the controller had returned from the emergency aircraft, both DHX611 and BTC2937 had crashed, killing all 71 passengers and crew aboard both aircraft. This is just another case of understaffing causing accidents.

[@thatguyineverycommentssection]

this administration is off to a legendary start

[@CXX64-l9d]

Anybody who's played sim city could have seen this coming a mile away.

[@carriebailey4455]

Funny, but too soon.

[@Mario87456]

LOL

[@alanbiancardi2531]

Maybe if people stopped playing games and re-entered the real world things would be better

[@Hades.666]

​@@alanbiancardi2531 okay grandpa

[@JackSmith-in9gl]

@@carriebailey4455or not, its the internet

[@megs5395]

My brother works in air traffic control and says the government is really bad with understaffing them. They limit the amount of people each airport can have according to its size. Even if the city is super busy and gets a lot of air traffic, doesn't matter they still won't increase staff. I think this is a huge issue because what the air traffic team does is SO crucial. The last thing we need is for them to feel understaffed or stressed. They are already under enough stress due to the nature of their role, last thing they need is to worry about not having enough people. It's all about money with the government.

[@ZenaAlireza]

THERE WAS A PLANE BEHIND AND THE ONE HE HIT, IT'S VERY SCARY, BUT HE WAS ALSO TOO HIGH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FLY LOWER

[@LyleBialk]

About 15 seconds talking about the headline of the video, the rest talking about how terrible it was that athletes were onboard, completely ignoring the rest of the victims. This is our societies warped values, always considering it more tragic that an athlete or celebrity was involved than all the rest of the people.

[@roseoreillysievers6057]

I agree

[@lolapop2010]

They've mentioned a father / soccer coach as well. You do realize that they haven't finished recovering bodies or confirmed everyone's identity? It's easiest to immediately ID the largest group of passengers aboard.

[@Spacecadet690]

Exactly, like they matter more. Same energy as the police and msm response to Luigi shooting the healthcare CEO vs the response that same week yo the woman being set on fire in the subway. It was night and day, the news just shoving down our throats about the super special rich guy deserving extra special justice.

[@LyleBialk]

@@lolapop2010 You really think that would make a difference, unless they find out some rich person was onboard?

[@tommyboy1653]

Regardless of the tower it just seems a helicopter pilot would stay clear of airport runway areas .

[@OchelleBeauchamp]

Oh please any excuse it was the helicopter fault

[@Droidman1231]

Most accidents have multiple causes. Both ATC and the Helicopter were at fault, but ATC moreso. At night it's hard to see, ATC could literally see two aircraft on their screens about to hit and missed it or did nothing. That's their main job, it's mainly their fault.

[@danielc.7173]

Agreed. The pilot literally confirmed visual on the wrong aircraft then crashed. People on air traffic comms were asking the pilot multiple times if he has visual on the aircraft coming in. Helicopter pilot said yes. Then the crash happened. It was literally human error.

[@rogerbing5314]

ATC has a responsibility to control the traffic in the airspace around the airport.

[@insectsappeal]

Moreover why in the world were they running training exercises in an airport landing trajectory?