Warner & Kaine on New Reporting Regarding 'Serious Safety Risks' at DCA

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement following new reporting by the Washington Post on the "serious safety risks" present at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on the night of the deadly crash over the Potomac River and the "political and economic forces" that perpetuated those conditions:

"Air traffic controllers and pilots are only human - their workload and work environment should reflect that. Unfortunately, Congress added more flights into DCA's already chaotic airspace just months before this tragic crash over the objections of the region's Senate delegation and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, disregarding the concerns of numerous pilots, air traffic controllers, and FAA and DOT personnel.

"What do you tell 67 families who have lost their loved ones? What do you tell America's flying public? We have fought against adding more flights at DCA for years because safety has to be the first and top priority. While many risk factors must be reevaluated, Congress needs to start by rolling back the additional flight slots it forcibly crammed into last year's FAA Reauthorization Act."

Sens. Warner and Kaine have sounded the alarm for years about the need for increased safety for the flying public, including fighting against additional flights out of DCA that contribute to overcrowding. Since the January 29th collision, both senators have been closely involved with the investigation, meeting with first responders and offering condolences to the families and loved ones of the 67 lives lost immediately following the tragedy. In June, Sens. Warner and Kaine introduced comprehensive aviation safety legislation in response to the tragic mid-air collision. The senators also saw through passage of a legislation to remember the victims of the crash. Sens. Warner and Kaine also requested answers from FAA earlier this year on its plans to protect the flying public in the wake of the January 29 collision.

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