Well, well, well, another day, another midair collision near Reagan National Airport. It’s almost as if mixing military and commercial aircraft in tightly controlled airspace could lead to, I don’t know, catastrophic results? Who could have predicted that? Certainly not the esteemed minds at the FAA and the Army, who are now under the magnifying glass thanks to a bipartisan letter from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Led by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, this letter demands that the inspectors general of the Army and Department of Transportation conduct audits on aviation safety practices. Because, clearly, the best way to tackle an ongoing issue is to write a strongly-worded letter. One can only hope they used a nice font.
This latest incident, where an Army Blackhawk helicopter decided to get up close and personal with American Airlines Flight 5342, isn’t just an isolated hiccup. No, it’s part of a “dangerous and continuing pattern” of near misses. Who needs roller coasters when you can have high-stakes aerial dodgems courtesy of your friendly neighborhood air traffic control?
The senators are calling for an investigation into whether improved procedures, communication systems, or just basic adherence to existing protocols could possibly increase aviation safety. It’s almost as if they suspect that doing things correctly might, in fact, be beneficial. What a radical notion.
In the shadows of these bureaucratic maneuvers, the Families of Flight 5342 are clinging to the hope that this bipartisan request will somehow rebuild public trust. Because nothing says “we’ve got this under control” like a committee briefing with the FAA, the Army, and the National Transportation Safety Board behind closed doors. Transparency at its finest.
So here we are, waiting for yet another round of reports, findings, and probably a few more letters. While Congress plays its game of procedural chess, one must wonder: will these audits lead to real change, or are we just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic? As they say, hope springs eternal, much like government inefficiency.
