What is air traffic control staffing like at Richmond International Airport?
HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Associated Press reported that the air traffic controller was very understaffed when the deadly plane and helicopter collision near Washington, D.C. happened. With this in mind, 8News reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to learn more about staffing at Richmond International Airport (RIC). The night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, an Army helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington. All of those on board both aircrafts -- that being 60 passengers, four flight crew members and three soldiers -- tragically died. "One air traffic controller was responsible for coordinating helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes when the collision happened," the AP said, citing the report from the FAA. According to the FAA, overall, DCA has 25 certified professional controllers and three certified professional controllers in training. The tower is reportedly authorized to have 28 controllers. More flights diverted to RIC from Ronald Reagan just days after deadly crash killed nearly 70 people As of Sept. 23, 2023, Richmond International Airport (RIC) had 14 certified professional controllers, one certified professional controller in training and one developmental trainee, making for a total of 16 staff members. With those totals being over a year old, 8News asked the FAA for more recent numbers on air traffic controller staffing. We have not heard back yet as of the time of reporting.
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HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Associated Press reported that the air traffic controller was very understaffed when the deadly plane and helicopter collision near Washington, D.C. happened. With this in mind, 8News reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to learn more about staffing at Richmond International Airport (RIC).
The night of Wednesday, Jan. 29, an Army helicopter collided with American Eagle Flight 5342 as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington. All of those on board both aircrafts -- that being 60 passengers, four flight crew members and three soldiers -- tragically died.
"One air traffic controller was responsible for coordinating helicopter traffic and arriving and departing planes when the collision happened," the AP said, citing the report from the FAA.
According to the FAA, overall, DCA has 25 certified professional controllers and three certified professional controllers in training. The tower is reportedly authorized to have 28 controllers.
More flights diverted to RIC from Ronald Reagan just days after deadly crash killed nearly 70 people
As of Sept. 23, 2023, Richmond International Airport (RIC) had 14 certified professional controllers, one certified professional controller in training and one developmental trainee, making for a total of 16 staff members.
With those totals being over a year old, 8News asked the FAA for more recent numbers on air traffic controller staffing. We have not heard back yet as of the time of reporting.
