A mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025, claimed the lives of 67 people. Investigators recovered the black boxes, which revealed that on the night of the crash, a single air traffic controller was responsible for managing both helicopters and planes—an arrangement the FAA deemed “not normal.” The controller’s heavy workload, compounded by a staffing shortage at the airport, may have played a role in the tragedy. The FAA has faced ongoing challenges in filling key positions, resulting in understaffing and extended work hours for controllers.