A midair collision near D.C. has raised concerns over FAA staffing, prompting scrutiny of air traffic control and aviation safety oversight.

The FAA is actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities, psychiatric problems, and other mental and physical conditions," Trump said.

DCA is one of the most demanding airports in the world. It also has what’s known as ‘helicopter alley’ with hundreds of police, military, news and rescue helicopters criss-crossing

Mike Whitaker, unanimously confirmed as the FAA administrator in October 2023, stepped down early from his five-year term on Jan. 20 when Trump took office and for 10 days the FAA declined to say who was running the agency on an acting basis. Trump has not yet named a permanent candidate to replace Whitaker.

While that office may be ready to go to work, the FAA itself is not fully on the job. That’s because it’s without an administrator. Michael Whitaker, who had led the administration since Oct., 2023, stepped down earlier this month,

It appears that the first major air disaster in the U.S. since 2009 has occurred while the Federal Aviation Administration does not have a permanent leader.

Oklahoma lawmaker shocked by Washington, D.C., tragedy, could lead to FAA improvements

The audit follows an incident in September where two jets clipped each other on the runway at Hartsfield-Jackson.

Trump appointed Christoper Rocheleau, a 22-year FAA veteran, as acting FAA administrator. Former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker resigned earlier this month.

The tragedy in Washington is raising questions about air safety across the country including at Logan Airport, which served 43 million passengers last year -- making it one of the busiest airports in the United States.