The investigation into a tragic midair collision involving an American Airlines jet and a military helicopter that resulted in 67 fatalities is currently ongoing. Emergency responders have retrieved the aircraft's black box, but no definitive conclusions have been reached. Preliminary FAA reports suggest that staffing levels were below the norm, with one controller monitoring both aircraft types when typically there would be dedicated controllers for each. A supervisor's decision to allow early leave for the helicopter controller has come under scrutiny, raising questions about air traffic control operations during peak hours.
At the time of the incident, typically there would be a dedicated air traffic controller for helicopter flights, but one person was supervising both types.
A supervisor authorized an early leave for the helicopter controller, leading to an understaffed tower during peak traffic hours.
Contradicting the FAA's report, an anonymous source stated that staffing levels were normal that night, highlighting the complexity of air traffic management.
Duplicating duties can pose significant risks for air traffic control, especially during congested airspace situations; safety protocols should ideally prevent this.
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