FAA to increase support, oversight for air traffic controllers at Reagan National Airport

More than two months after the deadly mid-air collision between an American Eagle jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, safety at DCA continues to draw scrutiny.

In the last week, a Delta flight had close call with military jet. Around the same time the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority sent out a statement that said one of DCA’s air traffic controllers was arrested for a fight in the control tower.

Wednesday, the FAA announced in early April a team of Critical Incident Stress Management workers will head to DCA to offer support for the air traffic control staff and conduct wellness checks on them.

A spokesperson announced several additional actions including: increasing the Operational Supervisor staffing from six to eight, reviewing the ‘professional controller’ staffing numbers and reviewing DCA’s arrival rate of aircraft per hour.

On the last action, the FAA pointed out the arrival rate per hour at DCA is “disproportionately concentrated within the last 30 minutes of each hour.”

But how will these actions play out?

WUSA9 spoke to a former air traffic controller, Todd Yeary for context.

“The (stress management team) will look for signs of fatigue,” Yeary said. “They may be looking at the corollary of physiological responses to having to work mandatory 6 days.”

Yeary also questioned the additional supervisors. He pointed out the FAA has had an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers.

“Where do those additional two supervisors come from? Do you have to promote from the line ranks?” Yeary said. “Do you have to get someone from another facility?”

As the FAA continues to improve safety in the airspace around DCA, Yeary said some of these adjustments and moves could take time to see the end effect, not just on the safety aspect.

“What we don't see is the analysis,” he said. “How is this going to affect the (passenger) community are going to be impacted the most of all?”