The NTSB and FAA are briefing members of the Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday on the ongoing crash investigation.

An American Airlines plane carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter outside Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C. Wednesday night. A D.C. fire official said Thursday that “we don't think there are any survivors from this accident" and "we are switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation.

When aircraft volume goes down, a supervisor can make the decision to combine two controller positions into one position, which happens routinely, according to a source with direct knowledge.

Rep. Troy Nehls told The Post that Federal Aviation Administration officials had known about the "staffing issues" and that the air traffic controller involved was "not only dealing with the helicopter flying up and down the Potomac [River] but was also directing aircraft.

Officials want to permanently keep helicopters away from commercial jets taking off and landing at a busy Washington, D.C., airport after the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades.

Federal safety officials want to permanently keep helicopters away from commercial flights at Reagan National Airport.