FAA Changes Air Routes After Deadly Crash, Families Say It's Not Enough

One year after a private jet crashed onto a busy highway, killing three people, major changes are in place at the Washington, D.C. area's main airport. But families of the victims say the efforts do not go far enough. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made two key changes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). First, it has permanently reduced the number of allowed long-distance flights. Second, it has redesigned departure paths for planes to avoid the area where the crash occurred. The crash happened when a business jet taking off from DCA failed to gain height. It struck a vehicle on the George Washington Memorial Parkway before crashing. The incident raised urgent questions about safety at the airport, which is located close to the city center. While acknowledging the FAA's actions, the victims' families are calling for more. They want a full ban on the type of plane involved in the crash from using that specific runway. They argue that the current changes are a partial solution to a serious safety risk. The FAA states its changes directly address safety issues identified in the crash investigation. The debate continues over whether these measures will prevent future tragedies.