Secretary of Transportation of the United States, Sean Duffy, disclosed that he engaged in discussions with Elon Musk, an advisor to the Trump administration and the CEO of SpaceX, in relation to overhauling the nation’s airspace. He also expressed apprehensions regarding the military’s utilization of helicopters in the congested airspace of Washington, D.C. following a tragic collision last week. Speaking at a transportation event in Washington, Duffy mentioned, “I had a conversation with Elon Musk yesterday, a truly extraordinary individual. His approach to problem-solving differs significantly from the norm, but his access to top-notch technological experts and world-class engineers is unparalleled.” He went on to affirm, “We are committed to revamping our airspace promptly.”
Duffy’s statements come in the aftermath of a devastating incident where an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an incoming American Airlines regional jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash resulted in the fatalities of all 64 passengers aboard the American flight and the three military personnel aboard the Black Hawk, which was engaged in a training exercise. This tragic event marked the deadliest airline catastrophe in the United States since 2001.
Elon Musk, as of now, has not responded to requests for comments. SpaceX, like other space enterprises, shares airspace with commercial aircraft. Just last month, an incident occurred where a Starship rocket experienced a malfunction during flight, leading to debris falling in the vicinity of Caribbean islands. This necessitated numerous commercial flights to either divert or delay their routes to prevent any potential hazards.
For years, executives in the U.S. aviation sector have been advocating for the modernization of air traffic control systems and the hiring of additional air traffic controllers to address a prolonged shortage in the field. Duffy highlighted that a single air traffic controller was managing both airplane and helicopter traffic during the time of the collision. He emphasized, “We will be reviewing the protocols and procedures within the control tower.”
“We are determined to reassess the protocols within our control towers to ensure the safety of all air travelers,” Duffy stated. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to scrutinize the safety protocols during military training missions conducted at night. Expressing his disapproval, he stated, “If we have senior officers opting for helicopter travel for mere convenience in this airspace, that is unacceptable. They should opt for ground transportation instead of helicopters.”
No immediate comments were provided by the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense. The National Transportation Safety Board, leading the investigation into the recent crash, is actively working to determine the root cause of the tragic collision.
— Contributions to this report were made by Michael Sheetz from CNBC.
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