Staffing ‘not normal’ in air traffic control tower during DC plane crash: reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. - It is being reported that staffing was "not normal" in the air traffic control tower at Reagan National Airport during the time of the deadly plane crash on Wednesday night. 

‘Not normal’ staffing in air traffic control tower

What we know:

In a recent report by the Federal Aviation Administration obtained by The Associated Press, one air traffic controller was working two positions at the time of the crash.

"The position configuration was not normal for the time of day and volume of traffic," the report says.

Although, the official cause of the crash has not yet been determined. 

What to know about the deadly crash

The backstory:

The American Airlines jet had 60 passengers and four crew members on board. Three soldiers were aboard the helicopter. According to officials, the helicopter apparently flew into the flight path of the plane while it was landing at the airport on Wednesday evening around 9 p.m.

The crash triggered a major search-and-rescue operation in the icy Potomac River. Dozens of bodies were recovered from the waters during the overnight hours. The plane's fuselage was found upside down and broken into three sections in waist-deep water. The wreckage of the helicopter was also located. 

If the casualty numbers hold, this incident could become the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.

National Transportation Safety Board update

What they're saying:

NTSB officials stated during a press conference that their main focus is on recovering the bodies of the victims. 

NTSB board member Todd Inman also stated that a preliminary report on the crash will be released within 30 days.

"Our mission is to understand not just what happened but why it happened, and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again," said Inman.

"There are no survivors" President Trump speaks on DC plane crash

What they're saying:

During a press conference around 11: 21 a.m., President Trump entered the press room asking for a moment of silence for the victims. The president went on to provide updates on the search, switching to a recovery mission. "There are no survivors," he said.

"As one nation, we grieve for every precious soul that has been taken from us so suddenly," Trump said. He also noted that other nations are also grieving for foreign nationals from those countries who were also on the plane.

"We are in mourning."

He said the U.S. military and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

"We’ll find out how this disaster occurred and will ensure that nothing like this ever happens again," he said.

The president said he was naming Chris Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting commissioner to the Federal Aviation Administration.

"The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions under a diversity and inclusion hiring initiative spelled out on the agency’s website," said Trump, noting that the program allowed for the hiring of people with hearing and vision issues as well as paralysis, epilepsy and "dwarfism."

Trump said air traffic controllers need to be geniuses.

MORE: LIVE DC plane crash updates: Midair collision leaves no survivors

"They have to be talented, naturally talented geniuses," he said. "You can’t have regular people doing their job. We will restore faith in American air travel."

In response to a reporter asking if DEI was to blame for the crash and what evidence he may have seen to support these claims, the president responded saying "It just could have been." 

"We have a high standard. We have had a much higher standard than anybody else. And there are things that you have to go by brain power, you have to go by psychological quality, and psychological quality is a very important element of it. These are various very powerful tests that we put to use, and they were terminated by Biden, and Biden went by a standard that is the exact opposite."

Trump went on to say that for an air traffic controller "we want the brightest, the smartest, the sharpest, we want somebody that is psychologically superior, and that's what we are going to have."