An air traffic controller left the work early before a passenger beam and a military helicopter clashed, was claimed yesterday.
Researchers discovered that one staff member had been transferred to both planes and helicopters – a job that was usually done by two people – when the deadly crash took place at 8.47 pm on Wednesday in Washington DC.
Sources said the roles are sometimes combined, but only after 9.30 p.m.
It was one of the many factors that were examined last night, while search teams continued to pull the bodies of the 67 victims from the ice -cold Potomac River.
Functional skaters championship who had attended a competition in Wichita, Kansas, belonged to the passengers of the American Airlines Jet.
These include Everly and Alydia Livingston, known as the skating sisters on social media. Everly, 14 and Alydia, 11, were rising stars in the ice -dancing world.
They were killed with their parents, Peter and Donna. Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Eaves was one of the three crew members on the Black Hawk helicopter. His wife Carrie wrote on social media: “We ask you to pray for our family and friends and for all other families who suffer today.”
Jonathan Campos was unveiled as the captain of the American Airlines flight.
The wreck of the Washington Air collision in the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan National Airport
'Ice Sisters' Everly (right) and her 11-year-old sister Alydia Livingston were killed in the tragic collision
Jonathan Campos was unveiled as the captain of the American Eagle Flight
Destroyed Andy Beyer, from North Virginia, revealed that his wife Justyna and the 12-year-old daughter Brielle were on board. Lawyer Elizabeth Keys, 33, died too. And a tribute was paid to Kiah Duggins, 30, a professor of Howard University and former finalist of Miss Kansas.
Washington DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said last night that the remains of 41 victims were found and 28 people were positively identified. He added that all bodies are expected to be restored.
Yesterday the American President Donald Trump said that the helicopter flew higher than it was allowed and half a mile of the approved route had strayed. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules forbid helicopters of flying over 200 ft in the busy Potomac River Corridor, but the collision took place around 300 feet.
Mr. Trump wrote on social media site Truth Social: “The Black Hawk -Helicopter flew far too high.”
He suggested Thursday that a misguided focus on diversity may have led to sub -qualified persons who work in the control tower.
When asked whether the president believes that people with disabilities have a place to work in the federal government, said Mr. Trump's press secretary last night: 'People should not be hired based on their handicap, based on them Skin color, their gender, their gender, their race.
“That is not all out. The president is aimed at ensuring that the most competent individuals, the best and smartest in this country are in positions in the federal government. '
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers 'Association, said:' I couldn't tell you what [Mr Trump] talked about because the quality of air traffic controllers is excellent there. 'He deals with the personnel problem of the control tower, unveiled in an interim -FAA report, added:' It is not unusual for us to combine positions. There is usually someone in a supervisory position who supervises work. '
Andrew Eve was one of the three pilots on the Blackhawk Military Helicopter Pat25
American Airlines crashes victims 12-year-old Brielle Bryer (right) and her mother Justyna Beyer, 42 (left)
Lawyer Elizabeth Keys (photo) was one of the victims of the crash
Sources, however, claimed that the monitoring of planes and helicopters on Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is usually done by two people at least 9.30 pm.
Defense secretary Pete Hegseeth said that diversity, fairness and inclusion goals would be deleted to the FAA and in the army.
He said: 'We will come to the bottom what happened here. It is completely unacceptable in the capital of our nation or anywhere. Something like that can never happen again. '
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating. Spokesperson Todd Inman said it will be closed in a year.
