The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is replacing three air traffic control managers at Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, DC, following a tumultuous few months in the hub’s tower, reports say.
On Tuesday, the FAA confirmed to the Washington Post that the three managers, who oversee air traffic control operations at DCA, and two other busy airports in the area—Dulles International and Baltimore-Washington International Marshall—would be offered reassignment after a violent incident erupted in control tower at the end of March.
That episode saw a supervisor in the DCA tower punch a subordinate in the face, drawing blood, according to the Post’s report. The supervisor was later charged with assault and battery and put on administrative leave.
The violent outburst came during a tragic and tense period at DCA, following the deadly mid-air collision in January between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet, as well as another notable near-collision in recent weeks.
At the end of March, a Delta regional plane taking off at DCA nearly collided with an Air Force jet on its way to execute a flyover of Arlington Cemetery, according to CBS News. Fortunately, air traffic controllers were able to correct both planes’ flight paths, but the incident has added even more scrutiny to operations in the airport’s control tower.
"We brought in a new DCA management team to ensure strong support for the workforce," the FAA said in a statement to CBS News. "Their priorities will include: reviewing safety data trends while preventing/correcting drift, performance management and ensuring facility training is robust and consistently meets national standards."
Shortly after the three managers at DCA were forced out of their jobs, the FAA’s chief operating officer of air traffic control, Tim Arel, announced on Wednesday that he would be retiring early. Arel was slated to retire at the end of 2025, according to the CBS report, but will be taking a buyout from the Department of Transportation and departing several months ahead of schedule.
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