Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged that air traffic control staffing was not normal at the time of the mid-air collision between a military helicopter and passenger plane in Washington, DC. The crash resulted in the tragic deaths of 67 individuals. Reports indicated that the Reagan National Airport tower was understaffed during the incident. One air traffic control worker was tasked with managing helicopters and planes, a responsibility typically handled by two individuals. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the helicopter was flying at an altitude of 300 to 350 feet, more than 100 feet higher than permitted. Additionally, the American Airlines flight made a sudden upward turn moments before the collision, suggesting a potential issue during descent. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, with questions raised about the appropriateness of the air traffic control consolidation and the military helicopter's actions leading up to the tragic event.