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4d ago

Military Helicopter Forces Two Planes to Abort Landings at Reagan National Airport

FAA and NTSB launch investigations as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemns incident involving an Army Black Hawk’s deviation from flight protocols.

A crane lifts a piece of American Airlines flight 5342 from the Potomac River during recovery efforts on February 03, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. An American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided midair with a military Black Hawk helicopter while on approach to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025 outside of Washington, DC. According to reports, there were no survivors among the 67 people onboard both aircraft.
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Overview

  • Two commercial flights were instructed to perform go-arounds at Reagan National Airport on May 2 due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter en route to the Pentagon.
  • Preliminary FAA findings indicate the helicopter deviated from its direct route to the Pentagon, taking a 'scenic route,' potentially violating airspace restrictions implemented after January's fatal collision.
  • The January mid-air collision, which killed 67 people, led to permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations and tighter airspace protocols around Reagan National Airport.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the incident 'unacceptable' and announced plans to discuss compliance failures with the Department of Defense.
  • The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, with lawmakers urging stricter enforcement of airspace safety measures in the congested and sensitive DCA region.