Several days ago, I wrote about how a fight reportedly broke out in the air traffic control tower at Washington National Airport (DCA), and it got so bad that blood was spattered on control consoles. At the time, the only source was a not-so-reliable publication, but there’s now an update, as this incident has been confirmed, and charges have been filed.
In this post:
Bloody fight breaks out at Washington DCA tower
The Daily Mail was first to report on an event that happened on Thursday, March 27, 2025. According to sources, two air traffic controllers traded punches, when a fight erupted inside the control tower at Washington National Airport.
As it’s described, a pair of on-duty controllers got into an argument before one threw a punch at the other. By the time the two were separated, there was blood spattered on a control console. It’s believed that at the time, the tower would’ve had six or seven air traffic controllers, plus a supervisor. According to the unnamed source:
“I’ve heard of controllers going at it in the parking lot but this was on a whole new level. That facility is out of control. People are cracking because of what happened in January.”
“The people working in that tower had to sit and watch bodies being pulled out of the river. There was no way you could not see it. Leadership has not given these people enough support. They never really sent in professionals to make sure these people were okay mentally.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been investigating the incident. Initially 39-year-old Damon Marsalis Gaines was placed on administrative leave. Politico is now reporting that he has been charged with assault and battery in connection to this incident.
It can’t be easy to be a DCA air traffic controller
Obviously we don’t know the full circumstances here, though suffice it to say that it’s grossly inappropriate to behave this way while on duty, especially given the amount of responsibility that air traffic controllers have.
At the same time, I can’t help but feel bad for the controllers at DCA. Air traffic controllers have stressful jobs to begin with, given the constant stress from the amount of responsibility they have, plus the never-ending staffing issues. But I have to imagine that it’s a particularly tough time for DCA controllers.
Not only have they been dealing with so much civilian and government traffic for so long, but in January, they saw the first fatal airliner crash in the United States in many years. It can’t have been easy to witness that, and to watch the wreckage and bodies removed from the river near the airport while performing their jobs. It’s unfortunate that it sounds like they haven’t received the support that they need, following the accident.
Bottom line
Several days ago, two air traffic controllers reportedly got into a violent fight in the tower at DCA, with punches being traded. While we still don’t know the exact circumstances surrounding this, an air traffic controller has now been charged with assault and battery in connection to this incident.
What do you make of this reported DCA incident?
The controllers were arguing over which credit card is better and which lounge is gorgeous.
Very funny April Fools article!
I have it on good authority from more than one current FAA employee, and a NATCA controller, that the report is accurate, what is not known is what precipitated the fight........and the entire FAA is "Mum's the word". We can comment on an ongoing investigation........
"Daily Mail" is the rotten sludge that MAGAts feed on. Nothing they say is to be taken seriously.
By the same logic, how is one expected to take your comment anymore seriously ChadMC?
By the same logic, how is one expected to take your comment anymore seriously ChadMC?
Video or it didn't happen.
Chad “MC” What’s it like to be filled with so much hate that you turn everything into an anti MAGA post? CNN reported after, so I guess that rag was first to the story. And you are crapping on Ben for using it as a source. Also, Trump supporters go to Fox, not some British newspaper. At least get that right.
Chad “Miserable C-@+”
Basically all of DC is on edge right now. The administration is attacking civil servants and the District itself. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if a fight broke out in the pressure cooker that is the dca tower.
Totally agree AD. As if the tower wasn't enough!
No it isn't.
I live here. Things are just fine.
Unless you insist on working from home and make $200k plus per year.
right on!
Have you spoken to anyone else besides yourself?
Omaat repeats the tease three times, rephrases it in the intro three times, then summarizes it three times. The title is the article.
It’s concerning that there are reports of them not getting appropriate mental health support since the both physical and mental wellness is a requirement for ATC. They do annual mental health evaluations and yet they would drop the ball on this kind of incident?
Paging obsolete Joe.
Time to go extinct with the dinosaurs.
It's really rough for you that other people have well paying jobs, isn't it?
Given my previous notes on the subject, if it isn't obvious to you by now that the only thing "obsolete" is your take on the profession, then I guess the only question left is how you manage to get dressed in the morning?
That's rhetorical. We already know you don't need to, since you have nowhere you're needed.
You’re citing the Daily Mail? One of the most disgusting newspapers in the western world? Shame on you, Ben. Your site becomes less attractive by the day.
He literally has said he can’t vouch for the entire veracity of the report. But the Mail is unlikely to just make up an entire story on an incident like this.
C'mon, the Mail makes sh** up all the time
Ok Jack …. put your money where your keyboard is …. provide actual proof?
LOL...The Daily Mail is as reputable as Fox News or The New York Post for that matter...more entertaining than factual.
"Shame on you"?
What a drama queen.
Good-bye!!!
Oh my!! Call Cackles and register your complaint!
And then burn a Tesla.
You need to get that rage out.
The current Secretary of Transportation has stated that ATC is understaffed and is seeking to increase staffing. But, it takes funding. Decision time.
So ATC employees saw, at a distance, bodies pulled up. What? Never seen a dead body? How about doctors? Should all of them get lifetime disability and retirement pay after they have seen a few dead bodies?
That's not what this is about. You miss the point.
Who said they should get “lifetime disability and retirement pay”? Maybe some counselling though. And I’m sure doctors have access to counsellors.
Yeesh.
Doctors are trained for these situations, and any body EMT related, probably other fields.
Wow, so feeble-minded.
The callous and stupid drip from every pore. Not even hardened ER staff, EMTs, and cops are immune to human suffering. They do what they have to do at the time, but nobody forgets recovering bodies from a disaster, treating a toddler who’s been starved & almost beaten to death, or seeing an entire family dead in a car wreck. There are things that cannot be unseen, and they live with a person forever.
It’s called “The Daily Fail” for a reason.
Oh no, Ben. As you admit, the source here is notoriously inaccurate and prone to exaggeration. While I agree in general that a reputable news agency will rarely publish a completely fabricated story, the present source cannot be deemed reputable. It is a tabloid. The detail of blood splattered over the controls? Come on, that’s gore fantasy.
View From The Wing, with its arrogance and amorality, gives in to publish stories like this daily, between...
Oh no, Ben. As you admit, the source here is notoriously inaccurate and prone to exaggeration. While I agree in general that a reputable news agency will rarely publish a completely fabricated story, the present source cannot be deemed reputable. It is a tabloid. The detail of blood splattered over the controls? Come on, that’s gore fantasy.
View From The Wing, with its arrogance and amorality, gives in to publish stories like this daily, between race baiting bigoted comments and exploiting mental illnesses like the woman who stripped naked at DFW. Your blog is much better than that. Please don’t be like the bloviating micropenised author of VFTW.
Oh dear, are you going to be ok snowflake?! Get over yourself and grow some skin, and maybe some testicles to fill your lace panties!
I saw that naked lady video and thought to myself, I'm happy I'm gay! LOL
Lol.... Your reference to VFTW's genital size sounds a little hypocritical, unless you have documented evidence, personal testament, of course !
Seen worse.
Once saw a controller handcuffed while on position and taken away by the police. Trainee took the position. Luckily it was airspace in Maine where you had days to remedy a potential deal because of the vastness.
“This is why we have problems”