One stunning number from the Federal Aviation Administration. There were more than 15,000 close proximity events between *** helicopter and *** commercial airliner near Reagan National Airport, or DCA between October 2021 and December of last year, just weeks before the fatal midair collision in January, and of those, there were 85 incidents where the lateral separation between *** commercial jet and *** helicopter was less than 1500 ft. And the vertical separation was less than 200 ft. Leading committee members to ask how did the FAA not identify these risks sooner. There's millions of pieces of data that come in. When pressed on how they will handle it going forward. We're using machine learning and language modeling to scan incident reports to find themes and areas. Another key focus, the Black Hawk's operation and was it flying with *** critical identifying system known by the acronym ADSB Out turned off, which is the Army says, permitted with certain types of flights. 75% of the flights are mission rehearsal readiness flights. Are those operated with ADSB out? They are, Senator. So right now, today, the Army is flying helicopters in and around DCA Airport with ADSB out turned off. Is that correct? That is correct. I have to say I find that shocking. It's one of many policies sure to be examined much more closely in the months ahead by the Senate committee and the federal aviation agencies. We leave no stone unturned. And we let the evidence guide us. I'm Laura Aguirre reporting.
Air traffic controller arrested after 'incident' at Washington DC area control tower
Updated: 7:03 AM CDT Apr 1, 2025
An air traffic controller was charged with assault and battery after an 鈥渋ncident鈥� at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday night, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told CNN in a statement.Related video above: NTSB and other federal transportation safety agencies testify to a Senate subcommitteeDamon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged with assault and battery, according to the airport.鈥淭he employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,鈥� the FAA told CNN.It was not immediately clear if Gaines has an attorney.The arrest comes at an airport under scrutiny since January鈥檚 midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane. The day after the arrest, another close call happened when military jets flying to nearby Arlington National Cemetery set off a collision alarm in a Delta Air Lines plane that was taking off.
WASHINGTON — An air traffic controller was charged with assault and battery after an 鈥渋ncident鈥� at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday night, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority told CNN in a statement.
Related video above: NTSB and other federal transportation safety agencies testify to a Senate subcommittee
Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was charged with assault and battery, according to the airport.
鈥淭he employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,鈥� the FAA told CNN.
It was not immediately clear if Gaines has an attorney.
The arrest comes at an airport under scrutiny since January鈥檚 midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger plane. The day after the arrest, another close call happened when military jets flying to nearby Arlington National Cemetery set off a collision alarm in a Delta Air Lines plane that was taking off.