The deadly collision between a commercial jet and an Army helicopter near the nation’s capital Wednesday night will cast a fresh spotlight on longstanding concerns about outdated air traffic control systems.
Officials have not indicated that technical malfunctions caused by outdated equipment played a role in the crash over the Potomac River at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. But the Government Accountability Office had warned the Federal Aviation Administration four months ago of “urgently needed” updates to its aging air traffic control systems.
The GAO issued in September a scathing review of the FAA’s air traffic control systems, reporting that nearly 40% of systems used to direct air traffic are unsustainable.
The GAO said the FAA’s aging equipment poses challenges to staff, making it difficult for air traffic controllers to meet mission needs. The challenges include a lack of spare parts for repairs and a lack of trained staff with extensive knowledge of the old equipment.
The report found that the FAA is aware of the issues caused by aging equipment and is working to fix them.
While the FAA is improving 90 of its 138 air systems, the GAO said the administration has been too slow to modernize. The report suggests that most modernization efforts will not be completed for at least six years.
The GAO recommended that the FAA implement its modernization faster and provide the FAA’s Joint Resources Council with more oversight over the process.
Currently, there is no evidence that the Reagan airport’s air traffic control systems led to Wednesday night’s crash. Army leaders say the investigation is ongoing and offered few details about the collision.
“The FAA, [National Transportation Safety Board] and the United States Army will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available,” said Ron McLendon II, an Army spokesman.
Less than a minute before the collision, an air traffic controller asked the Army helicopter pilot if he could see the approaching American Airlines flight, according to a recently surfaced recording. Moments later, the two aircraft collided.
The plane, American Eagle Flight No. 5342, had departed from Kansas with 60 passengers and four crew members. The Army’s Sikorsky H-60 carried three soldiers according to the Department of Defense.
As of Thursday morning, authorities had recovered at least 27 bodies from the aircraft. D.C. Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly told reporters there are likely no survivors.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.