The Journal. A Plane Crash, Warning Signs and an Investigation
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Jan 31, 2025 
Benjamin Katz, a WSJ reporter specializing in aviation, dives deep into the shocking collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army helicopter, marking the U.S.'s deadliest aviation incident in over two decades. He reveals troubling safety concerns in D.C.'s crowded airspace and discusses the investigation's next steps. Katz also highlights the emotional aftermath of the tragedy, with tributes from the skating community for the young victims, and explains the complexities of air traffic control amid staffing shortages.
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Mid-Air Collision
- Flight 5342, en route from Wichita, was instructed to land on runway 33 at Reagan National.
- Less than a minute later, it collided with a military helicopter.
Scale of Tragedy
- This scale of aviation disaster is rare in the US.
- It is the deadliest since November 2001.
Unique Airspace
- Reagan National Airport's airspace is complex due to VIP, government, and military traffic.
- Its proximity to a military base adds to the congestion.