All the catastrophic mistakes that led to DC plane crash as it is revealed air traffic controller left tower early

An air traffic controller was reportedly allowed to leave their post early just before American Airlines Flight 5342 collided in midair with a military helicopter over Washington DC. 

Insiders and a preliminary internal FAA report have started to reveal catastrophic failures leading up to the aviation disaster that killed 67 people, including three soldiers, Wednesday night.  

The collision took place as the American Airlines flight, carrying 60 passengers and four crew, made its final approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport shortly before 9pm ET. 

That night, an air traffic controller was left to handle both helicopter traffic and manage planes – which should have been a divided duty – according to The New York Times. 

Those tasks are usually handled between two people from 10am until 9:30pm, according to the report. 

After 9:30pm the duties are typically combined and left to one person as the airport sees less traffic later in the night. 

A supervisor reportedly…