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DC Midair Collision and Aviation Safety Failures

The January crash near Reagan National Airport, which killed 67, has prompted investigations into systemic risks, regulatory gaps, and potential policy changes.

In front of a graphic of a recommendation from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference following up on the issuance of the NTSB preliminary report on the mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Department of Transportation in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Rescuers on a boat work next to the wreckage of a Black Hawk helicopter, as the sun rises, at the site of the crash after it collided with the American Eagle flight 5342, which was approaching Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the Potomac River, outside Washington, U.S., January 30, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
The sun rises illuminating crosses set up at a memorial near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Feb. 2, in Arlington, Virginia, in memory of the victims of a midair collision between an American Airlines flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy speaks about the recent mid-air collision of an American Airlines flight and a Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, at a news conference in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Overview

  • A Senate subcommittee hearing today will address the January 29 collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
  • The NTSB's preliminary findings highlight altitude discrepancies, incomplete radio transmissions, and the absence of a key safety system on the helicopter as contributing factors.
  • The FAA has permanently restricted helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport and is using AI to analyze safety risks at other airports with high helicopter traffic.
  • Victims' families are pursuing legal claims against the FAA and U.S. Army, alleging the crash was preventable due to longstanding safety issues in the airspace.
  • Lawmakers are scrutinizing the FAA and Army's handling of airspace congestion and safety protocols, with a focus on preventing future tragedies.