Duckworth, Chicago official address local airport safety concerns following DC plane crash

Following the deadly midair collision between an American Airlines plane and a military helicopter near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., Chicago officials are raising concerns about safety at local airports.

The crash killed 67 people.

What we know:

O'Hare International Airport has had its share of close calls, with landing planes diverted at the last minute due to another plane being on the runway.

The issue was even the subject of a congressional hearing last month.

Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth says the problem extends nationwide and highlights the need for more federal air traffic controllers.

What they're saying:

Duckworth, a veteran of flying Blackhawk helicopters — the same type involved in last night’s tragedy — said she would often fly training routes out of Midway during peak travel hours.

"Sometimes we would depart horizontally to 800 feet while aircraft were landing to our left and right, and depart out horizontally just to get away from that very busy air traffic," Duckworth said.

She noted that all airports, including O'Hare and Midway, face similar challenges, particularly a need for updated air traffic control equipment and more controllers.

"That's why we passed an FAA reauthorization bill and put money to train air traffic controllers and upgrade the equipment they have to use," Duckworth said. "We have some of the biggest challenges, but that's by nature of having some of the busiest airports in the country."

City Council Aviation Commissioner Matt O'Shea pointed out that military aircraft are less common in Chicago airspace, which he believes reduces the risk of a similar crash at O'Hare or Midway.

"There are clear flight patterns in and out of our airports that aircraft don't deviate from, and you don't see other types of aircraft flying in those vicinities," O'Shea said.

Trump's Comments :

On Thursday, President Donald Trump baselessly blamed past administration and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies for the incident.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded with a statement urging the Trump administration to answer key questions in the investigation:

  • "Why did the Trump administration fire members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee?"
  • "Did the federal government authorize the Black Hawk helicopter to fly in a commercial flight path at the same altitude as commercial aircraft?"

The Chicago Department of Aviation commissioner declined to comment beyond offering condolences to those affected by Wednesday night’s tragedy.

ChicagoPoliticsDonald J. TrumpMidway International AirportO'Hare International AirportNewsTravel News