NATCA Bookshelf

19 COMMUNICATING FOR SAFETY • 2025 Spo tl ight The ASI Role – Dan Carrico ASI responsibilities include immediate travel, data collection, coordination with facilities and regions, and technical analysis. "For me, as an experienced ASI, this investigation felt initially routine, until entering Hangar 6, the command post, within hours after the accident," Carrico said. "The scene was very much like what you would expect to see in the movies: A sea of dark blue jackets with big yellow letters emblazoned on them, NTSB, FBI, FAA, everywhere. "Some facts emerged quickly, but media speculation and other misinformation soon complicated the process. This meant the team had to address irrelevant or false claims while focusing on the core investigation. My duties included interviewing controllers at various D.C.-area locations, while prioritizing their mental and physical well-being. We collected and analyzed endless amounts of data, even traveling to the area months later as part of the investigation to gather more data. For instance, we traveled to the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace in Atlantic City, N.J., to review complex technical data. "This work will ultimately contribute to the NTSB's final report, which the NTSB Board will use to make safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies." The Party Coordinator Role – Seth Myers "As Party Coordinator, I was the NTSB's official point of contact for NATCA, and my job required constant availability to the NTSB Investigator in Charge (IIC) during the on-scene phase and quick responsiveness throughout the remainder of the investigation," Myers said. "On arrival at DCA, I supported the setup of Hangar 6, which became home to hundreds of investigators for several weeks. More than a dozen workgroups, each with a specific focus, operated from this hub. "While Dan worked primarily with the ATC workgroup in the field, I remained in Hangar 6 to assist the IIC, coordinate between workgroups, and address questions from other parties and the NTSB. Party Coordinators met each morning with the IIC to review progress and again in the evening for workgroup updates. This schedule often meant long days, late nights, and quick turnarounds. "Once the ATC workgroup's on-site phase concluded, the focus shifted to reviewing data and draft factual reports from multiple workgroups. As PC, I had to review and concur on each submission to the NTSB — thousands of pages in total. This review process continues throughout the entirety of the investigation." Commitment to Safety Both the roles of ASI and PC, demand technical expertise, coordination skills, and dedication to NATCA's members and mission. Whether interviewing controllers, analyzing data, or liaising with the IIC, the work is centered on gathering facts, ensuring factual representation, and advancing aviation safety. NATCA's Role in the Potomac Midair Collision Investigation By Dan Carrico (Chicago O'Hare ATCT, ORD), Seth Myers (Boston Center, ZBW), and Karena Marinas (Los Angeles Center, ZLA)

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