U.S. Army helicopter collided with a descending American Airlines passenger plane over the Potomac River en route to the Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. There were no survivors. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — which is experiencing a severe vacancy of top leadership positions — has come under fire for suspected negligence amid a staffing and funding deficit.

At a press conference Thursday with rescue officials, newly confirmed Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy walked away without answering when questioned about whether the FAA had an acting director in