The fatal midair collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army helicopter followed a string of near misses at airports over the last several years.

Summary

The fatal collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter near Reagan National Airport has renewed concerns over aviation safety and air traffic controller shortages.

The crash, which left no expected survivors, follows a rise in near misses, with 1,757 runway incursions recorded in 2024.

Experts blame staffing shortages, outdated systems, and increased flight volume for heightened risks.

The FAA is short 3,000 controllers, and training new hires takes years.

Officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, believe the tragedy was preventable.