Overview

• The FAA has permanently restricted non-essential helicopter operations around Reagan National Airport after a fatal collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial jet in January.
• Helicopter Route 4, a key airspace corridor near the airport, has been permanently closed, with alternative routes under evaluation as recommended by the NTSB.
• Urgent helicopter missions, such as medical, law enforcement, and presidential transport, will still be allowed but must maintain specific distances from airplanes.
• The FAA will prohibit simultaneous use of certain runways when urgent helicopter operations are underway near the airport to reduce risks of future collisions.
• An NTSB investigation revealed years of close calls between helicopters and planes near the airport, highlighting systemic safety issues and prompting the FAA to review other airports with high volumes of mixed traffic.