'Woah that was close': Near-miss warning signs ahead of DC plane crash

A serious incident nearly occurred at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which has raised significant concerns about aviation safety. Pilot Mike Slack, who is now an aviation attorney, was in the cockpit of his plane when he noticed something unusual on the runway. As he was preparing to land on Runway 33, he saw a Cessna Citation plane about to take off. Realizing the potential danger, he quickly aborted the landing and performed a go-around, a maneuver where the plane climbs back into the sky to circle the airport for another attempt. He described the moment as one where he thought, 'Man that was close and that was tight. ' This incident comes in the wake of a tragic crash that resulted in the loss of 67 lives, prompting renewed discussions about safety protocols at the airport. Retired air traffic controller Ron Bazman commented on the situation, stating, 'When something like this happens, typically it's something that's slipped past many safeguards. ' He emphasized that while near-misses are not common, they do highlight the need for a thorough review of safety measures in place. The recent crash involved an American Airlines flight that was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, which collided with a Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter that had taken off from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, for a training mission. Recordings from air traffic control indicate that a controller warned the helicopter about the incoming jet just moments before the collision. The helicopter pilot acknowledged the warning, but unfortunately, the two aircraft collided shortly thereafter. Reagan National Airport is known for its high volume of traffic, with nearly 400 flights operating daily and providing service to 98 destinations across the United States and Canada. Pilots have expressed that flying in and out of this airport can be quite challenging. Pilot Mo Khimji remarked, 'There are times when we are watching planes land and we find ourselves saying whoa that is close. ' The airport's smaller size compared to others, like Dulles International Airport, adds to the complexity of operations. Multiple types of aircraft share the airspace, including military helicopters and commercial flights, which can lead to potential conflicts. At night, the reflection of city lights on the Potomac River can further complicate visibility for pilots. Just a day before the fatal crash, another military helicopter had a close call with a regional jet, which performed a go-around to avoid a collision. This series of incidents has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate a safety review, stating that 'one close call is one too many. ' The review highlighted issues such as inadequate funding and staffing shortages that have led to a decline in safety standards. The FAA has struggled to meet hiring targets for air traffic controllers, which has raised concerns about the overall safety of the aviation system. The FAA's budget is determined by Congress, and the organization has faced challenges due to political pressures. The recent government shutdown in 2018 further complicated hiring efforts, leading to a shortage of controllers. The constant turnover in leadership at the FAA has also made it difficult to implement lasting changes. Following the recent crash, Todd Inman from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated, 'Our job is to find the facts. More importantly, our job is to make sure this tragedy doesn't happen again. ' He assured the public that they would advocate for necessary changes to improve aviation safety.