Lawmakers Call FAA to Action Over Ongoing DCA Safety Concerns

Legislators are calling for the Federal Aviation Administration to address “considerable concerns” over aircraft operation safety in and around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C.

In a letter sent to FAA Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau on Monday, representatives Rick Larsen, Steve Cohen, and Tammy Duckworth said January’s midair collision drew increased scrutiny to “numerous underlying issues” with standard operating procedures and air traffic controller hiring at DCA.

The letter acknowledged the FAA’s actions to increase safety at the airport. These actions included prohibiting operations on helicopter route 4 at DCA, examining helicopter operations at 21 other U.S. airports, reviewing air traffic controllers staffing IN THE tower and reviewing DCA’s current hourly aircraft arrival rates.

“Despite these efforts, incidents at DCA continue to occur at an alarming rate,” the letter stated.

Too Many Incidents

The letter then referenced an incident on March 27 where a brawl between two air traffic controllers at DCA’s tower led to one controller being arrested and put on administrative leave.

“Although the cause of the altercation has yet to be determined, we remain concerned that the mounting stress arising from the January 29 accident is having a lasting effect on air traffic controllers at DCA and that FAA’s dispatching of a ‘stress management team,’ while welcome, may be an insufficient response,” the letter stated.

The next day, on March 28, a Delta jet came close to colliding with a U.S. Air Force training aircraft while they were conducting a flyby of the Arlington National Cemetery near DCA.

A Delta Airbus A321 rockets out of Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.
(Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

“After Delta Airlines Flight 2983 departed Runway 19, separation was lost with the Talons, resulting in a serious near-miss event that allowed a distance between the two aircraft to be as close as 3,900 feet laterally and 100 feet vertically,” the letter stated.

Additionally, the letter cited another incident on April 10, where two American Eagle flights operated by PSA Airlines and Republic Airways made contact on a taxiway.

“Together these planes were transporting a total of 143 passengers to Charleston International

Airport (CHS) in South Carolina and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York,” the letter stated. “Thankfully, there were no reported injuries and both aircraft safely returned to the terminal and were taken out of service for inspection.”

“However, this event is yet another in a growing pattern of concerning incidents at this congested airport.”

Recommendations

Given the recent track record of issues at DCA, the three representatives called on the FAA to take several actions, including:

• Coordinating with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the Collaborative Resource Working Group to implement staffing goals at the DCA air traffic control tower and keep support roles fully staffed.
• Uphold the reduced hourly aircraft arrival rate at DCA at least until the control tower is fully staffed and the FAA has addressed safety risks at the airport.
• Evaluate and amend agreements or standard operating procedures with the Department of Defense and other relevant government agencies concerning flight operations at DCA to ensure safety.
• Start monthly briefings for relevant congressional committees detailing aviation safety incidents and other airspace risks in the DCA capital region.

Additionally, the letter urged the FAA to review congestion levels at and around DCA, review any outstanding National Transportation Safety Board recommendations and analyze the effectiveness of mental health resources provided to professionals, particularly after aviation accidents and other emergencies.

“While it may take time for the NTSB to determine the causes of the tragic January 29 midair collision over the Potomac, we can act now to ensure safer skies for the flying public,” the letter concluded.

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