FAA Permanently Closes Helicopter Route After Deadly Collision Near Reagan National

The move follows NTSB recommendations after a January crash killed 67 and revealed years of close calls in the airspace.

The FAA has permanently shut down a key helicopter route near Reagan National Airport after a January collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial jet killed 67 people.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found thousands of close calls between helicopters and planes in the area over the past three years and deemed the airspace an 'intolerable risk.'
Helicopter traffic near the airport will now face permanent restrictions, with exceptions for urgent missions such as medical, law enforcement, and presidential transport.
The FAA will also prohibit the use of two smaller runways when helicopters are conducting urgent operations nearby to enhance safety measures.
The agency is reviewing helicopter routes in eight other major cities and using AI tools to identify potential risks in high-traffic areas, including the Gulf Coast.