A critical breakdown in communication between federal agencies emerges amid investigations of a catastrophic midair collision near Washington, D.C.
According to The Washington Post, a vital hotline connecting Reagan National Airport and Pentagon air traffic controllers has been non-functional since March 2022, highlighting severe coordination issues between federal agencies responsible for the airspace, where 67 people perished in a January collision.
The revelation surfaced during a Senate hearing where Franklin McIntosh, the FAA's deputy head of air traffic control, acknowledged the Defense Department-maintained line's prolonged outage. The discovery came after a May 1 incident when controllers at the National Airport had to abort two passenger jet landings due to an Army helicopter circling near the Pentagon.
Communication breakdown between agencies sparks controversy
The dysfunctional coordination has sparked unusual public disagreements between government departments. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has pointed fingers at the military for violating safety protocols while military officials maintain their adherence to FAA restrictions.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former Black Hawk pilot herself, expressed strong criticism during the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing. The Illinois Democrat emphasized the urgency of improved coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense.
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska voiced frustration over the military's lack of transparency regarding the incident. The Army, through spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell, stated they are working with the FAA to address necessary repairs.
Safety measures face intense scrutiny after fatal collision
The May 1 incident occurred shortly after a Virginia-based Army unit resumed flights in the capital region. This followed the January 29 tragedy when an Army Black Hawk collided with an American Airlines regional jet from Wichita.
Senator Ted Cruz probed deeper into the FAA's response to the situation. McIntosh confirmed that officials considered suspending the military's agreement to fly in Washington airspace without prior FAA clearance.
Former NTSB investigator Scott Dunham emphasized the importance of direct communications between nearby air traffic facilities. While normal phones provide alternative communication means, experts consider this a last resort option.
Multiple factors contribute to ongoing air safety concerns
The hearing also revealed that during both the May 1 incident and the January crash, one person was responsible for guiding both helicopters and local traffic at National's tower. This consolidation of tasks potentially increased cthe ontroller workload.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former NTSB and FAA investigator, highlighted the Army's limited transparency compared to civilian authorities. He suggested this might stem from the sensitive nature of their missions but emphasized the need for greater information sharing.
The FAA has implemented restrictions on helicopter traffic around the airport since the crash. However, military, police, and medical helicopter flights continue to operate in the region, causing disruptions to passenger traffic.
Future of aviation safety measures takes shape
The deadly January collision between an Army Black Hawk and an American Airlines regional jet has exposed critical gaps in air traffic control coordination near the nation's capital. The discovery of a three-year communications failure between Reagan National Airport and Pentagon air traffic controllers has prompted immediate action from federal agencies. As investigations continue and pressure mounts from congressional leaders, the FAA and Defense Department face increasing demands to implement more robust safety measures and improve inter-agency coordination to prevent future tragedies.
