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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Martin Pengelly in Washington

Leaderless FAA begins investigation of Washington plane crash

FAA Donald Trump Elon Musk Michael Whitaker Washington D.C. Chris Rocheleau SpaceX Chris Murphy United States
a composite image showing Elon Musk and Michael Whitaker
Michael Whitaker, right, resigned from his post as FAA administrator on 20 January 2025 after a pressure campaign by Elon Musk. Composite: Reuters, Getty Images

Questions swirled in Washington on Thursday as the Federal Aviation Administration began its investigation of the Reagan airport crash without a permanent leader – its former chief resigned 10 days ago, after Elon Musk, the SpaceX CEO and close adviser to Donald Trump, called for him to quit.

Michael Whitaker, a 30-year aviation industry veteran, was unanimously confirmed as FAA administrator by the Senate in October 2023. He resigned last Monday, the day Trump was inaugurated as president.

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