Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger believes poor nighttime visibility over water may have contributed to the recent DC plane crash that killed 67. He explained that fewer ground lights reflecting off water make spotting other aircraft harder complicating altitude and distance,
judgment.Sully mentioned that while one pilot had visual contact, they still lost safe separation, comparing it to “dominoes lined up the wrong way.” He stressed the need for improved protocols, especially at Reagan National Airport, which faces challenges with short runways and heavy air traffic.Staffing issues at the control tower may have also played a role, as one controller handled multiple tasks. Sully called for better training and oversight to prevent future accidents.
