Leadless FAA Beginning Survey of Washington Plan Crash | Washington DC Plan Crash

Questions swirled in Washington on Thursday when the Federal Aviation Administration began his investigation into Reagan Airport accident without a permanent leader – its former boss pulled.

Michael Whitaker, a 30-year-old veteran of the aviation industry, was unanimous unanimous confirmed As a few -administrator of the Senate in October 2023. He retired last Monday, the day Trump was inaugurated as president.

On Wednesday night, a military black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet. Thursday, when bodies were removed from the Potomac River, officials said all 67 people aboard the two aircraft had died.

When Trump’s new transport secretary, Sean Duffy, was asked, “Is there a functioning FAA -Director?” he Went away from journalists.

Trump appointed Chris Rocheleau who had a long career with FAA After participating in it in 1996, as a functioning few administrator, until a permanent election is confirmed by the Senate.

National Business Aviation Association that Rocheleau led before returning to FAA, hailed “An excellent leader who will be good for few, good at aviation and good for the country, especially at this challenging time.”

Rocheleau was reported to be back at FAA Last week. But according to Reuters, “FAA has for 10 days refused to say who ran the agency on an acting basis.”

On Thursday, Musk’s clash with Faa and Whitaker were back in the headlines.

Musk’s anger grew from commercial interests, including competition with Boeing on government contracts. In 2022, FAA Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, offered a violation of a security protocol. Musk also said the agency needed “radical reform” and complained that the “harassed Spacex”.

In September 2024, Whitaker proposed fines of more than $ 600,000 for SpaceX over alleged violations of its government license in two rocket launches.

Musk, the world’s richest person, worth more than $ 400 billion. said: “He has to resign.”

Whitaker may have agreed with Musk about the need for FAA reform as he confronted challenges, including worn-out facilities and staff shortages contributing to one Moral crisis Among air traffic controllers.

But in December, after Trump defeated Joe Biden, Whitaker said he would quit.

He told Staff: “When I finish my time at FAA, my confidence in you to meet our security mission has never been stronger.”

Reagan Airport accident was the first major air disaster in the United States since 2009.

Inquiring journalists accused Trump overthrew his political enemies and on diversity, justice and inclusion policies at FAA.

Chris Murphy, the Democratic Senator from Connecticut, called These comments “disgusting”.

When he said it would take time to find out why the crash happened, Murphy added: “There are some true things: President Trump forced out of the office the administrator of FAA. He has led a regular attack on public employees since he arrived. He forced all of aviation security (advisory selection) to go off.

“We don’t know if these things had anything to do with this crash, but we should take the time to get to the facts.”