NTSB Urges Helicopter Route Restrictions at Reagan National After Deadly Collision

The crash that killed 67 people highlights long-standing safety risks from insufficient separation between helicopters and jets in D.C.'s congested airspace.

The NTSB's preliminary report on the January 29 midair collision over the Potomac River found that helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport pose an 'intolerable risk' to aviation safety.
Investigators revealed over 15,000 near-miss events between helicopters and jets within three years, with monthly collision warnings recorded since 2011.
The crash involved a PSA Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft, including several young figure skaters and their families.
The NTSB recommended prohibiting helicopter operations on certain routes during specific runway use and called for alternative paths to maintain critical services while reducing collision risks.
The report criticized the FAA for failing to act on years of data indicating safety risks, urging immediate changes to separation standards and airspace management.