DC Airport Controllers Offline: A critical hotline connecting the Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers at Reagan Washington National Airport has been inoperable since March 2022, according to an FAA official. This revelation was made during a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday.
Impact on Flight Operations
The lack of a functioning hotline has significant implications for flight operations in the vicinity of the Pentagon. Recently, the U.S. Army suspended helicopter training flights near the Pentagon after two passenger airline flights were forced to abort landings due to a Black Hawk helicopter flying nearby.
Safety Concerns
The incident highlights concerns about safety protocols and communication between the Pentagon and FAA. In January, a Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger jet near Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in 67 fatalities.
Still on DC Airport Controllers Offline
FAA Response
Franklin McIntosh, the FAA’s deputy head of air traffic control, testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, stating that the agency would not allow the Pentagon to resume helicopter flights until the hotline is fixed. McIntosh emphasized that the hotline was maintained by the Pentagon and the FAA had only recently learned it was out of service.
Army’s Response
The Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion, responsible for helicopter flights near the Pentagon, has temporarily halted training flights while it determines what happened during a May 1 flight.
Senate Committee’s Reaction
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz expressed concerns about the incident and the FAA’s preparedness to suspend the letter of agreement between the Army and FAA. This agreement allows the Army to operate without needing clearance for each flight.
Additional Incidents
In a separate incident, a backup telecommunications line at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey failed on April 28, causing a 90-second disruption in communication. The FAA is taking steps to prevent similar incidents, including adding a third redundant line to the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control.
Conclusion
The inoperable hotline between the Pentagon and FAA air traffic controllers raises serious concerns about safety protocols and communication. The FAA’s response to the incident and efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future are crucial to ensuring the safety of air travel.
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