FAA Investigates False Midair Collision Alerts at Reagan National Airport

Multiple flights received erroneous warnings of nearby aircraft, prompting go-arounds and raising safety concerns near the site of a recent deadly crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating false collision alerts received by at least 12 flights landing at Reagan National Airport on Saturday, March 1.
Pilots reported Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) warnings of nearby aircraft, though no other planes were present in the area, according to FAA statements and air traffic control audio.
Three flights aborted landings and performed go-arounds due to the alerts, with pilots describing phantom objects as close as 600 feet.
The incidents occurred near the site of a January 29 collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet, which killed 67 people.
Experts noted the unusual frequency and concentration of false TCAS alerts, with the FAA working to determine the cause of the malfunction.