Chicago-based litigator Robert Clifford says military flights should be grounded at Reagan after plane crash

As investigators work to determine what caused a deadly midair collision at Reagan National Airport, aviation attorney Robert Clifford is calling for immediate changes to prevent future tragedies.

Clifford, a Chicago-based lawyer known for his work in high-profile aviation litigation, says airport officials had already warned that congestion at Reagan could lead to disaster.

What we know:

On Wednesday night, an American Airlines passenger jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 67 people.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now recovering flight data recorders and investigating what exactly led to the crash.

What they're saying:

Clifford argues that the airspace around Reagan National has become too crowded, especially after additional flights were added last May.

He believes military aircraft should be grounded in the area until further notice and that staffing issues in the airport’s control tower must be addressed immediately.

"It created a confluence of too much activity, and that has been discussed for quite some time in that community," Clifford said. "And finally, a tragedy has occurred."

Clifford also highlighted concerns about communication failures between aircraft and air traffic controllers, warning that passengers ultimately bear the risk of a system stretched too thin.

"We don't have proper equipment communications between the incoming aircraft and the helicopters, and of course, now we've got overworked ATC people in the local tower," he said. "Who is the victim of that? We are. We, the traveling public."

What's next:

The NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. We hope to find out more information in the coming days and weeks.

To Learn More:

For more information on aviation attorney Robert Clifford, click here or here. 

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