A Federal Aviation Administration report indicates that staffing at the Reagan National Airport air traffic control tower was 'not normal' prior to the fatal collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and a military helicopter. The controller on duty was reportedly handling a workload typically managed by two people. The crash reportedly killed 67 people, including several American and Russian skaters from the Skating Club of Boston and members of the Washington D.C. branch of the Leaders of Steamfitters United Association Local 602 union.
ARLINGTON, VA - AUGUST 26: Storm clouds gather over the control tower at Ronald Reagan National Airport August 26, 2003 in Arlington, Virginia. The local forcast is calling for early afternoon thunderstorms in the Washington, DC area.
The controller on duty at the time was reportedly “doing a job usually handled by two people.” The New York Times cited, but did not publish, the internal FAA document mentioned in its report. Several American and Russian skaters were aboard the flight that crashed into the Potomac River after colliding with a military helicopter. The Skating Club of Boston on Thursday released a statement Thursday mourning its members who were aboard the flight.
“Everyone is like a family,” Zeghibe continued. “Of the skaters, coaches and parents on the plane, we believe six were from The Skating Club of Boston. We are devastated and completely at a loss for words.”
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FATAL COLLISION REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT MILITARY HELICOPTER AMERICAN AIRLINES
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