Documents released in the inquiry into the deadly midair collision over the Potomac River on January 29 have revealed new details about the fates of two pilots and an air traffic controller whose decisions shaped the outcome of the disaster. The findings suggest that the sequence of events leading to the crash was influenced by a series of miscommunications and procedural lapses, underscoring the critical importance of aviation safety protocols.
Investigators have determined that the two pilots involved in the collision had conflicting information about their flight paths, leading to a failure in maintaining safe separation. Additionally, the air traffic controller’s actions, including potential misinterpretations of radar data and communication errors, have been scrutinized as contributing factors. These revelations have prompted calls for enhanced training and improved coordination within the aviation sector to prevent similar incidents in the future.