Tensions escalated once again at Ronald Reagan National Airport, as two air traffic controllers were involved in a shocking altercation inside the control tower.
The incident, which occurred Thursday, comes amid the ongoing fallout from January’s tragic midair collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter.
The airport, already under intense scrutiny, has now found itself in the spotlight for another unsettling reason.
Details of the Shocking Brawl Inside the Tower
According to a source who spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com, the fight broke out when a heated argument between two on-duty air traffic controllers quickly escalated into violence.
One of the controllers threw a punch at the other, leaving blood splattered over the control console.
The altercation took place while the tower was staffed with a supervisor and approximately six or seven controllers, all responsible for managing the busy air traffic.
The source described the situation as “out of control,” noting that the staff members involved were likely still deeply affected by the aftermath of January’s deadly crash.
“I’ve heard of controllers arguing in the parking lot, but this was a whole new level,” the insider said, adding that the emotional toll from the earlier tragedy had likely contributed to the outburst.
The Impact of January’s Fatal Collision Still Looms
While the controllers involved in Thursday’s incident were not working when American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with the Black Hawk helicopter near the runway in January, they were almost certainly impacted by the tragedy.
The crash, which resulted in the deaths of all 64 people aboard the regional jet and the three crew members on the helicopter, remains a devastating chapter for the airport and its staff.
Reports revealed that due to staffing shortages, only one controller was managing air traffic for both planes and helicopters at the time of the collision—a task typically handled by two controllers.
The source explained that those working in the tower were forced to witness the recovery efforts as bodies were pulled from the Potomac River, intensifying the emotional burden on an already strained team.
Investigation and Lack of Mental Health Support
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still working on its final report regarding the January crash, with a full investigation potentially taking up to a year.
A preliminary report from the NTSB highlighted frequent close calls between commercial flights and helicopters in the region.
In the wake of the tragedy, there have been calls for better mental health support for air traffic controllers.
According to the source, leadership at the airport has not provided sufficient care for the staff, who were left to deal with the psychological toll without adequate professional help. “Leadership hasn’t given these people enough support.
They never really sent in professionals to make sure these people were okay mentally,” the insider said.
Political Reactions and Safety Concerns at Reagan National Airport
Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, raised concerns at a Senate subcommittee hearing about why the Black Hawk helicopter was not transmitting vital location data at the time of the collision.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau acknowledged the oversight, taking responsibility for the incident and stressing that all helicopters would soon be required to transmit ADS-B data, except for those used by the President.
The safety of Reagan National Airport’s airspace has been a focal point for many.
Dailey Crafton, the brother of one of the victims of the crash, voiced frustration that it took such a tragic event for any real action to be taken.
“There’s been so many near misses, and it took this crash for anyone to wake up and do anything about it,” Crafton said, urging authorities to address the dangerously congested skies over the airport.
FAA and Political Leaders Respond to Ongoing Concerns
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has promised to implement any necessary changes based on the findings of ongoing investigations, while President Donald Trump recently blamed the January crash on the FAA’s focus on diversity and inclusion over competence.
Despite these political tensions, the FAA spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the investigation into the air traffic controllers’ fight is ongoing, though they declined to provide further details.
As the situation continues to unfold, the airport remains under intense scrutiny, with concerns over both the safety of air traffic operations and the mental well-being of the workers tasked with managing it.