Experts Warned of D.C. Airspace Risks Before Deadly Midair Crash

Yesterday at 8:45 pm

1793 posts

Experts Warned of D.C. Airspace Risks Before Deadly Midair Crash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The fatal midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., has renewed longstanding concerns about the congestion and complexity of the region’s airspace. With 67 lives lost, including three soldiers and more than a dozen figure skaters, the tragedy highlights risks that aviation experts and pilots have warned about for years. The crash, which occurred as the jet was rerouted to Reagan National’s Runway 33, is now under federal investigation, focusing on air traffic control staffing, pilot visibility, and military aircraft altitude restrictions. As authorities work to determine the cause, the disaster has reignited debate over airspace management in the nation’s capital and whether military helicopter operations should be restricted near civilian flight paths.

Washington, D.C. Midair Collision – Quick Looks

An American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River, killing 67 people, including three soldiers and over a dozen figure skaters.
Experts had long warned that Reagan National’s congested airspace—filled with commercial jets, military helicopters, and restricted zones—posed a serious risk of disaster.
Investigators are probing why the Army helicopter was flying 100 feet above its permitted altitude and whether air traffic control staffing issues played a role.
Aviation experts call for immediate reforms, including stricter altitude restrictions for military aircraft and better communication between pilots and controllers.
Lawmakers recently expanded flight options at Reagan National, raising concerns that even more air traffic could make the already-complex airspace even more dangerous.
The crash echoes a 1949 midair collision in Washington, D.C., that also ended in tragedy, highlighting the longstanding risks of the region’s air traffic system.

Deep Look

The airspace around Washington, D.C., is among the most congested and complex in the United States, requiring precise coordination between commercial airliners, military aircraft, and restricted zones around the White House, Capitol, and Pentagon. Experts have long warned that such conditions could lead to disaster.

Those fears became reality Wednesday night, when an American Airlines jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Among the dead were three Army soldiers and more than a dozen figure skaters, who had been returning from a national training camp in Wichita, Kansas.

Authorities say the collision occurred as the jet was on final approach to Reagan Washington National Airport. The Black Hawk, which was flying south along the Potomac, reportedly exceeded its permitted altitude by 100 feet just before impact.

“This was a disaster waiting to happen,” said Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines captain and aviation consultant.

“Our systems are stretched to extremes, and those of us who have been around a long time have been warning about this for years.”

A History of Close Calls: The Dangers of D.C. Airspace

Aviation experts and former pilots describe Reagan National’s airspace as uniquely challenging, even in ideal weather conditions. Unlike most major airports, Reagan National sits in the middle of restricted airspace, forcing pilots to navigate precise corridors with little room for error.

Jim Brauchle, a former U.S. Air Force navigator and aviation attorney, noted that commercial aircraft regularly fly in close proximity to military helicopters.

“Even if everyone follows protocol, there are only a few hundred feet of separation between planes landing and the helicopters flying through that same space,” Brauchle said. “That leaves almost no margin for error.”

Pilots and air traffic controllers have long warned of a “nightmare scenario” where commercial jets and military helicopters cross paths at night. The bright lights of the city, combined with high traffic volume, can make detecting oncoming aircraft difficult.

One such close call occurred nearly a decade ago, according to retired Army National Guard pilot Darrell Feller, who recounted a harrowing experience flying a military helicopter near Reagan National.

“I was flying south along the Potomac when I was told to watch for a jet landing on Runway 33,” Feller said.

“I couldn’t see the plane against the city lights, so I dropped to just 50 feet above the river to avoid a collision.”

Feller’s experience eerily mirrored Wednesday night’s tragedy. Investigators believe the Army helicopter crew may have similarly lost sight of the jet, which was cleared to land on Runway 33.

Less than 30 seconds before the crash, an air traffic controller asked the Black Hawk crew if they had the jet in sight. The military pilot responded affirmatively before being instructed to pass behind the jet. Moments later, the two aircraft collided in a fireball over the river.

“Landing lights on commercial jets are not always visible to helicopter pilots at night,” Feller explained. “They blend in with the city, traffic, and bridge lights.”

A Preventable Disaster? Questions Mount Over Air Traffic Control and Flight Restrictions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full-scale investigation into the crash, with early reports suggesting multiple points of failure.

Key questions include:

Why was the Black Hawk helicopter flying above its permitted altitude?
Was the air traffic control tower properly staffed at the time of the collision?
Did the sudden change to Runway 33 contribute to pilot confusion?

A leaked FAA report, obtained by the Associated Press, revealed that air traffic staffing levels at Reagan National were “not normal” for the time of day and traffic volume.

“The federal government should immediately halt military helicopter flights near Reagan National’s commercial flight paths,” said aviation attorney Robert Clifford.

“This crash was 100% preventable, and we have been warning about these risks for years.”

Airspace Congestion Likely to Worsen Amid Policy Changes

The crash comes at a time when air traffic at Reagan National is set to increase, following a controversial 2023 congressional decision to expand long-haul flight options.

For years, flights from Reagan National were limited to 1,250 miles to reduce congestion. However, lawmakers recently allowed airlines to add more long-distance routes, including flights to Seattle and San Francisco.

While the crashed flight from Wichita was not part of the expansion, aviation experts fear the added traffic could further stress an already fragile system.

“We’re making Reagan National even busier, even more crowded,” said former FAA official Peter Goelz. “That’s a recipe for disaster.”

A History of Tragedy: Echoes of 1949 Crash

The fatal collision bears resemblance to a 1949 crash in Washington, D.C., when a passenger plane on final approach collided with a military aircraft, sending both into the Potomac River and killing 55 people.

At the time, it was the deadliest air crash in U.S. history. But in 1949, the airspace was significantly less crowded than it is today.

“You’ve got two major airports, multiple restricted zones, altitude limits, and hundreds of aircraft all converging in a tight space,” said retired LAPD helicopter pilot Jack Schonely.

“There’s just too much happening in too small of an area.”

What Comes Next? Calls for Immediate Airspace Reform

As investigators work to determine the exact cause of the crash, the aviation industry is already facing renewed scrutiny over how Washington, D.C.’s airspace is managed.

Lawmakers and aviation experts have proposed several immediate changes, including: