Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall expressed their condolences and concerns during a press conference following a tragic airplane crash near Reagan National Airport that claimed the lives of approximately 67 people, including many Kansans.
Speaking from Washington, the senators recounted their overnight meetings with first responders, NTSB officials, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Sen. Moran, who chairs the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and potential safety reforms.
“We express our sadness, the circumstances that families across the country are in. We’re thankful for the efforts to try to save lives last night, but we know that there’s a lot of people in our home state that are grieving and sad. And again, we want to do everything we can to make certain that everything done, that can be done, is done to make sure that flying is and continues to be safe and that whatever steps need to be taken will be taken by Congress and the administration to make certain that people are safe when they fly and they know that they’re safe when they fly,” said Sen. Moran.
Sen. Marshall highlighted issues with air traffic control communications and transponder technology between civilian and military aircraft.
“I think my biggest concern though is about these transponders. And folks, you’re going to learn more about transponders over the next six months than you ever cared to learn about. But as I understand it, these transponders should communicate back and forth. So one aircraft will know where the other one is and warnings go off if they get too close. This is one of the busiest air spaces in America. And for some reason, those transponders between this military helicopter and the civilian jet do not communicate with each other,” said Sen. Marshall.
The senators vowed to push for congressional hearings and legislative action to enhance flight safety. While the investigation is ongoing, Moran and Marshall assured Kansans they would seek transparency and solutions to prevent future tragedies.
Identities of the victims will not be disclosed until their families have been notified.
