NTSB Urges Helicopter Route Ban After Deadly D.C. Midair Collision

The January crash near Reagan National Airport, which killed 67 people, has prompted calls for permanent changes to helicopter routes to address longstanding safety risks.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued urgent recommendations to permanently ban certain helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport during specific runway operations, citing an 'intolerable risk' to aviation safety.
The January 29 collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities, marking the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster in over two decades.
Investigators revealed over 15,000 near-miss incidents between planes and helicopters near the airport from 2021 to 2024, with inadequate separation distances as close as 75 feet in some cases.
The NTSB's preliminary findings point to potential contributing factors, including communication issues, inaccurate helicopter altitude readings, and insufficient air traffic control staffing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has temporarily restricted helicopter traffic in the area and expressed support for modernizing air traffic control systems to prevent future tragedies.