Probe into Washington crash finds air traffic control staffing 'not normal'
According to a preliminary safety report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), staffing levels at Ronald Reagan National Airport's air traffic control tower were "not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic," during the mid-air collision. The crash, which involved an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, landing at Washington Reagan National Airport, is believed to have claimed 67 lives.
To date, 28 bodies, including those of three Army soldiers, have been recovered. The cause of the collision remains unknown as investigations continue, with first responders still working to recover bodies from the Potomac River.
A preliminary report viewed by The New York Times suggests that a single controller was managing both helicopters in the airport's vicinity and directing arriving and departing planes at the time of the crash - tasks usually undertaken by two separate controllers.
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READ MORE: Key moments from Donald Trump's press conference on Washington air crash that killed 60
At a White House press conference earlier today, Trump confirmed that there were no survivors of the crash, reports the Mirror.
"As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," he said. "Sadly, there are no survivors" of the crash, he added.
"We'll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said. However, Trump then veered off topic, launching into a lengthy rant in which he appeared to link diversity initiatives to the tragic crash.
During the press briefing, the president took aim at his political opponents and expressed grievances about the FAA's diversity hiring practices.