Mid-Air Collision Near Reagan Airport Kills 67

A tragic mid-air collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport resulted in 67 fatalities. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that air traffic control staffing was 'not normal' as one controller managed both helicopters and planes, a task typically divided between two. The collision has raised questions about the adequacy of air traffic control staffing, as Reagan National has been understaffed for years. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating, focusing on possible mechanical or human errors and air traffic control's role. Lawmakers have been lobbying for more flights from the airport, which is already congested, intensifying safety concerns. President Trump has controversially suggested that the crash may be linked to DEI policies, but investigators have not confirmed any such connections.