Captain Sully Sullenberger has voiced concerns over the deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C. on January 29, 2025, attributing it to the dangers of nighttime flights over water. Without visual reference points, pilots struggle to gauge altitude and distance, increasing the risk of accidents. Sully believes this may have played a key role in the collision that killed 67 people.

Sully also questioned air traffic control’s role, suggesting that overwhelmed controllers might have contributed to the disaster. While pilots are responsible for maintaining separation once visual contact is made, losing that crucial distance likely led to the tragedy.

The crash occurred near Reagan National Airport, a notoriously difficult airspace. Sully highlighted the need for specialized training for pilots and air traffic controllers in such areas to reduce risks in high-traffic zones.

Sully’s analysis calls for aviation safety reforms, particularly in managing nighttime flights over water, better coordination between military and civilian aircraft, and addressing air traffic controller workloads to prevent similar incidents in the future.