DC-area air traffic controller arrested after 'incident'

An air traffic controller positioned at Reagan Washington National Airport 
in Arlington, Va., was arrested Thursday night following an incident 
inside the control tower.

Damon Marsalis Gaines, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Md., faces assault and 
battery charges after being arrested by airport authorities following an 
altercation at the airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
said.

“The employee is on administrative leave while we investigate the matter,” 
the FAA said in a statement to The Hill. 

The incident comes as National Airport faces nationwide attention 
following a collision earlier this year that raised awareness about the 
increase in flights at and near the airport. The crash left 67 people 
dead.

Amid concerns, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that 
the FAA permanently ban certain helicopter routes around the airport when 
specific runways are in use.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/5225741-reagan-airport-
controller-arrested/