The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is increasing support and oversight for the air traffic controller team at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) following a fatal midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed the lives of 67 people.
In a statement on Wednesday, the FAA announced it will increase operational supervisor staffing from six to eight people, and review certified professional controller staffing numbers at DCA.
The change comes after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety recommendations for DCA following the deadly Jan. 29 collision involving a commercial plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Wreckage is seen in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on Jan. 30. (Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Giles, U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
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In addition, FAA officials are also evaluating current arrival rates at DCA, which has the busiest runway in America, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
The FAA will review DCA’s arrival rate of aircraft per hour, which is “disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour,” according to the agency.
Spacing between each flight is required to keep operations safe, according to the MWAA.
Wreckage from American Airlines flight 5342 is pulled from the Potomac River near Reagan Airport, Feb. 3. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
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In March, the FAA announced it would permanently restrict “non-essential” helicopter operations around DCA, and eliminate helicopter and fixed-wing mixed traffic.
It also prohibited the simultaneous use of runways 15/33 and 4/22 when helicopters conducting urgent missions are operating near DCA.
The air traffic control tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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In response to the crash, which happened during an Army flight check, the FAA said it will also be sending its Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team “to support the well-being of controllers” this month.
The team will offer confidential support to staff “following stressful events,” according to the statement.
Though the FAA sent a CISM team and Employee Assistance Program representatives to DCA right after the crash, the FAA in a statement to Fox News Digital said it is continuing the assistance.
“The FAA has standard protocols when accidents occur, which includes offering counseling for all controllers who were on duty at the time,” the FAA wrote in the statement.
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CISM is a confidential, non-judgmental support group designed to help air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals effectively manage acute stress, according to the statement.
The Employee Assistance Program includes eight free counseling sessions per 12 months and coaching to assist with a wide range of topics.
Regular wellness checks will also be conducted at the facility.
