Ryan Knutson

Wednesday started as a pretty normal day at Reagan National Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation.

Wednesday started as a pretty normal day at Reagan National Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation.

That's our colleague Ben Katz. He covers aviation.

That's our colleague Ben Katz. He covers aviation.

That's our colleague Ben Katz. He covers aviation.

Flight 5342 was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and had 64 people on board.

Flight 5342 was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and had 64 people on board.

Flight 5342 was arriving from Wichita, Kansas, and had 64 people on board.

The alert said the Wichita flight was at risk of colliding with a military helicopter. Air traffic control alerted the helicopter's crew to the plane.

The alert said the Wichita flight was at risk of colliding with a military helicopter. Air traffic control alerted the helicopter's crew to the plane.

The alert said the Wichita flight was at risk of colliding with a military helicopter. Air traffic control alerted the helicopter's crew to the plane.

How unusual is a tragedy of this scale?

How unusual is a tragedy of this scale?

How unusual is a tragedy of this scale?

So you cover the airline industry. Did this accident, did this tragedy surprise you?

So you cover the airline industry. Did this accident, did this tragedy surprise you?

So you cover the airline industry. Did this accident, did this tragedy surprise you?

Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Ryan Knudsen. It's Friday, January 31st. Coming up on the show, the warning signs leading up to this week's deadly crash.

Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Ryan Knudsen. It's Friday, January 31st. Coming up on the show, the warning signs leading up to this week's deadly crash.

Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Ryan Knudsen. It's Friday, January 31st. Coming up on the show, the warning signs leading up to this week's deadly crash.