NTSB Recommends Helicopter Ban After D.C. Midair Crash

NTSB Recommends Helicopter Ban After D.C. Midair Crash \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Federal investigators have recommended banning certain helicopter flights near Ronald Reagan National Airport after a January 29 midair collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter killed 67 people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) warns that the current airspace separation poses an intolerable risk and is urging the FAA to establish permanent alternative routes for helicopters. The crash is under investigation, with concerns over altitude readings, pilot communications, and air traffic control staffing.

NTSB Calls for Airspace Changes After Deadly D.C. Collision: Quick Looks

• Tragic Collision – An American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River on January 29, killing 67 people.
• High Risk Near Reagan Airport – The NTSB reports 85 close calls in just three years, exposing a long-standing safety issue.
• Helicopter Restrictions Proposed – The FAA has temporarily limited helicopter flights, and the NTSB is calling for permanent alternative routes.
• Cause Under Investigation – Investigators suspect altitude misreadings and missed radio communications contributed to the crash.
• Growing Aviation Safety Concerns – The collision was one of four major North American aviation disasters in early 2024.
• Trump Criticizes Air Traffic Control – President Donald Trump blamed the “obsolete” system and vowed an overhaul.

Deep Look

Federal investigators are recommending a ban on certain helicopter flights near Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport, citing an unacceptable risk to aviation safety. The call comes after the January 29 midair collision that killed 67 people when an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed over the Potomac River.

During a Tuesday briefing, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy revealed alarming safety statistics, noting that the separation distance between helicopters and planes at Reagan National Airport has long been insufficient.

A Long-Standing Aviation Risk Finally Comes to Light

Homendy expressed frustration that it took a catastrophic accident to expose the dangers of the crowded airspace around Reagan National Airport.

“It shouldn’t take tragedy to require immediate action,” she said, emphasizing the need for urgent reform.

In her remarks, Homendy shared unsettling data:

• In just over three years, there were 85 close calls—incidents where a minor miscalculation could have caused another midair disaster.
• Between October 2021 and December 2024, pilots received over 15,000 alerts warning of helicopters in dangerously close proximity to planes.
• Since October 2011, commercial planes have received at least one warning per month about helicopters being too close, forcing pilots to take evasive action.

FAA’s Temporary Fix and NTSB’s Permanent Proposal

In response to the January 29 tragedy, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has implemented temporary restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport. Now, helicopters must wait until air traffic controllers temporarily halt commercial flights before they can pass through the airport’s airspace.

However, the NTSB is pushing for a permanent fix, urging the FAA to reroute helicopters away from the airport entirely. If adopted, this policy would affect law enforcement, Coast Guard patrols, and government flights, which rely on critical helicopter access in the Washington, D.C., area.

Investigating the Cause: Altitude Readings and Communication Failures

Investigators have not yet determined an official cause for the January 29 collision, but early findings point to critical failures in altitude readings and pilot communication.

• The Army helicopter may have been misreading altitude data in the moments before impact.
• The helicopter crew may have missed crucial air traffic control instructions, including a key message about the jet’s approach.
• The crash likely occurred at just under 300 feet, even though the helicopter’s altitude limit for that airspace was 200 feet.

Additionally, the Army Black Hawk helicopter was conducting a night training exercise, with its crew wearing night vision goggles. While the Army insists the pilots were highly experienced, investigators will examine whether the night vision technology contributed to the crash.

Broader Aviation Safety Concerns

The midair collision over Washington, D.C., was part of a disturbing trend of aviation accidents early in 2024.

Within just one month, North America saw four major air disasters, including:

• A Delta flight that flipped onto its roof during landing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, injuring 21 people.
• A series of near-miss incidents at major U.S. airports, raising concerns about air traffic control staffing shortages.

Despite these accidents, Homendy reassured the public that flying remains incredibly safe.

“I fly out of Reagan National Airport all the time,” she said, emphasizing that aviation safety protocols are still among the strongest in the world.

Trump’s Response: A Push for Air Traffic Control Reform

Following the January 29 crash, President Donald Trump placed blame on the “obsolete” air traffic control system, promising a complete overhaul.

Trump also faulted the Army helicopter for flying too high, suggesting that military flight protocols need reassessment.

For years, aviation experts and federal officials have warned that the U.S. air traffic control system is overburdened and understaffed.
Key issues include:

• Aging technology, which has struggled to keep up with increasing air traffic.
• Understaffed control towers, leading to more near-miss incidents.
• Long and intensive training periods for air traffic controllers, making hiring challenging.

What’s Next?

While the NTSB’s final report on the collision won’t be completed for over a year, pressure is mounting for the FAA to act quickly. The question now is whether the FAA will adopt the NTSB’s recommendation for a permanent helicopter flight ban near Reagan National Airport.

Meanwhile, as airlines, regulators, and politicians debate solutions, families of the 67 victims continue to grieve—and demand accountability for a tragedy that may have been preventable.

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