Virginia Senator Tim Kaine reflected on air travel safety after the air collision in Washington, DC

Moderator Steve INSKEEK:

Last night, we worked hard through the air collision above the Poto Mark River outside the Washington Special Economic Zone to date. A little before 9 o'clock. To be precise, the local time is about 8:48. American Eagle Airlines flight 5342 is from Wichoto in Kansas. Four crew members, 60 passengers on the boat. A regional jet aircraft, smaller jet aircraft, narrow jet jet aircraft, on the way to No. 33, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, about 8 am : 48, in the sky, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, three crew members, and three American crew soldiers on board. The newly -confirmed transportation minister Sean Duffy told us his understanding of this situation this morning.

(Voice of archive recording)

Sean Duffy: This is not uncommon. Military aircraft landed on the DCA and landed on the DCA.

Inskeep: It's not uncommon, this is something else to say.

(Voice of archive recording)

Duffy: American Airline's flight to land is on the standard flight method of DCA.

Inskeep: Standard flight mode. We will mention again, runway 33. Reagan National Airport has three different runways. With the development of major airports, relatively narrow space. But three different runways, three different flight modes, but this is one of the standard mode. Somehow, the two planes collided. The video showed the explosion. Someone told us that the plane was finally upside down and the three pieces of inverted in the Poto Mark River. The helicopter has also dropped. DC Fire's John Donnelly told us that they now believe that they are in the water all night, and spend the whole night in the cold water. Today and last night, there are some ice and no signs of the survivors.

We have news saying who are some of these planes. Our figure skating said that many athletes, coaches and family members returned from the event held in Kamas Wicho. In a series of news in the Kremlin of Moscow, we were told many Russian skater, and we were told that other Russian citizens were one of the 64 people on the plane. Now, people who spoke at the press conference earlier today include one of the Virginia Senators in the United States and Democratic Senator Tim Kain. He is online. Senator, thank you for joining us in a busy morning.

Tim Kaine: Absolutely, Steve.

Inskeep: So far, what do you think are you learning about this incident?

Kane: Well, I mean, first of all, this is really a tragedy. When we wait for the news on the plane, we know that we are a little scared. This is a small community. There will be many people in Virginia and the Washington Special Economic Zone, which may be those we know or contact those who are in contact with Kamos Wiccrest. I think of my two Senate colleagues Marshall and Senator Molan, and I know they are very focused on this.

We have a lot of questions about this situation. Those who live here, we know how complicated and crowded this is. You have commercial flights. You have military flight. You know that presidents often fly from Andrews to the Marine Corps. Therefore, this is a crowded airspace with some special rules, but many of us have issued alarm about congestion for a period of time. The good news is that the National Transport Safety Commission does enjoy a high reputation in conducting these investigations. And we believe we will get the answer to what happened, and we may get some answers soon.

Inskeep: Let's talk about the congestion you mentioned. One thing I often think of, I often consider when flying-when the plane returns to Washington Special Economic Zone, the plane will use a specific model. They stay on the river to avoid crossing the landmark. I think this is a change …

Kane: Yes.

inskeep: … Since 9/11, is it?

Kain: Yes, both of which happened at 9/11, but it also reduced the noise of the community. In this way, most of the flight roads are on the river.

inskeep: Okay. And you say that you have a wide range of concerns about congestion. What are these problems? Pay them for me.

Kain (Kaine): Well, just-this is an airport, Steve, its footprint is very small. It initially thought that these runways could deal with about 15 million passengers for a year. Now, the number of passengers in and out of the Reagan nationality is now more than 20 million. Therefore, those who represent the region often try to prove that we have several other airports here. DC BWI at Maryland in the north of West Dudles Airport allows us to spread traffic between the airport because this congestion problem has always been a problem.

Another question is, do we have enough air traffic controllers? Last spring, we carried out the FAA re -authorization bill. One of the driving factors of the bill was the shortage of air traffic controllers. We don't know that traffic congestion or air traffic control is what happened last night. The important thing is not to judge in advance, don't speculate. NTSB will provide us with answers. However, we have recorded a period of time, it sounds alarm of congestion, and we hope that such incidents will not happen.

Inskeep: As long as we pay attention, air traffic controller-federal employees make life and death decisions. They participated in the communication with the plane last night last night. According to a recording, they showed that they saw the plane to the helicopter and helicopter communication. Somehow, they did not try to avoid each other. When you mention traffic congestion, I will notice that traffic in recent days has actually increased at Reagan Airport. It was announced last year that they were adding many new flights. Have you raised objections?

Kane: Yes, strong opposition. Moreover, you add a flight again. Wchto flight is not one of the increased flights in recent years. However, you know that we want people to have a good travel experience, and the Reagan National is a convenient airport in the urban area. I see. However, you know that at some time, you only need to worry about congestion. The congestion has caused major delays in the Reagan State. It is one of the worst delay records, which is because of this congestion. Therefore, whether it is the convenience of passengers, passenger safety, the safety of the crew-I mean, in addition to the three soldiers, except for 60 passengers, four crew members were killed last night. Therefore, NTSB will reach the bottom again. They will give us an answer. But I just continue to worry about congestion.

Inskeep: I think we should pay attention-you mentioned NTSB. The National Transport Safety Commission has investigators. Sometimes they spend a few months or years to determine the conclusion. We don't know that traffic congestion is the cause of this or cause factors, but we know this is a factor. This is the reality of that field.

Kane: Yes. NTSB was at the scene this morning. I'm there at 6:30. They are there. They led the investigation and we were full of confidence in them.

Inskeep: Senator, I am always glad to talk to you. However, I am sorry to do this in this case, but thank you for your time.

Kain (Kaine): Thank you for your help, Steve. Thanks.

INSKEEP: Tim Kaine, US Senator in Virginia. When studying, we will continue to bring you more.

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