A fatal collision between a military helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet near Washington Reagan National Airport has sparked a heated debate over staffing shortages and safety protocols in the aviation industry.
The incident, which resulted in the deaths of everyone on board both aircraft, has drawn criticism from a former air traffic controller who claims the Obama administration’s policies are to blame for chronic understaffing and systemic issues within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The collision occurred during a period of high traffic volume, and an internal preliminary FAA safety report reviewed by The New York Times revealed that the air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport was inadequately staffed at the time of the accident.
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Former air traffic controller Michael Pearson appeared on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle on Thursday, attributing the staffing crisis to decisions made during the Obama administration.
“The system has been under attack due to DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] and the FAA bowing to wokeness since 2010, since the Obama administration,” Pearson said. He specifically pointed to the administration’s 2013 decision to terminate lists of eligible, well-trained air traffic control candidates from 36 universities across the country, claiming the move was motivated by racial demographics. “The lack of staffing is directly attributable to the Obama administration terminating the lists of eligible, well-trained air traffic control candidates because they were too white,” Pearson alleged.
Pearson also criticized the FAA’s immunity program, which he claims has undermined accountability and safety standards. The program, introduced around 2010, allows air traffic controllers to avoid retraining or decertification after operational errors, such as allowing aircraft to fly too close to one another. “In the old days, before 2010, if an air traffic controller got two airplanes too close too many times, they would be decertified and retrained,” Pearson explained. “Now, they’re not. All they have to do within 48 hours of being investigated for a potential separation error is avail themselves of this program that gives them immunity.”
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According to Pearson, the immunity program prevents the FAA from addressing repeated instances of incompetence. “If somebody has a repetitive instance of malfeasance or lack of competency, the FAA, because of this immunity program, cannot rectify the situation. They have to basically allow the person to remain in the same position,” he said. He accused the FAA and unions of using the program to manipulate statistics on near-miss incidents, creating a false sense of security.
The staffing crisis at Reagan National Airport is part of a broader issue affecting air traffic control facilities across the country. In 2024 alone, the FAA reported at least eight near-midair collisions at the airport, attributed to a shortage of air traffic controllers on the eastern seaboard. The shortage has also forced a reduction in the number of flights in the region, exacerbating delays and safety concerns.
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Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach echoed Pearson’s concerns, linking the rise in operational errors to DEI hiring practices. “DEI hiring practices have led to an increase in operational errors in the air, resulting in hundreds of incidents,” Kobach said earlier today. His comments reflect a growing debate over the role of diversity initiatives in critical industries like aviation, where safety and expertise are paramount.
The FAA has yet to issue a formal response to Pearson’s allegations or the broader criticism of its staffing and safety protocols. However, the tragic collision near Reagan National Airport has reignited calls for a comprehensive review of air traffic control staffing, training, and accountability measures to prevent future disasters.
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