How the Plane and Helicopter Collided in Washington: Maps and Graphics
www.nytimes.com
An American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter plunged into the Potomac River after a midair collision Wednesday night near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C.

Important context:

  • January 20: FAA director fired
  • January 21: Air Traffic Controller hiring frozen
  • January 22: Aviation Safety Advisory Committee disbanded
  • January 28: Buyout/retirement demand sent to existing employees
  • January 29: First American mid-air collision in 16 years

Staffing was not normal at air traffic control

      • silence7@slrpnk.netOP
        22·
        4 days ago

        You’re assuming that the plane crash is a full count. I’d be really surprised if some of the other things he’s done this week (eg: limiting access to reimbursement for health care) haven’t killed people.

    • rbesfe@lemmy.ca
      10·
      4 days ago

      This is an overreach that minimizes the people who are actually impacted by Trump’s actions.

      This was the heli pilot’s error, plain and simple. Tower was following protocol and did not grant clearance because they were short on staff or something ridiculous like that.

      • Wolf314159@startrek.website
        10·
        4 days ago

        Individual human failures are often a symptom of broader and larger systemic problems. Pointing out these systemic problems is not over reach.

        • rbesfe@lemmy.ca
          6·
          4 days ago

          This specific tower was not short on staff, and again, ATC doesn’t just start issuing faulty clearances when they’re short staffed.

          Use your brain.

  • BigMacHole@lemm.ee
    31·
    4 days ago

    Even though this was the FIRST Mid Air Collision since 2008 and it happened AFTER gutting Federal Aviation Workers it’s OBVIOUSLY BIDEN AND OBAMAS FAULT!