FAA Closes DC Helicopter Routes After Deadly Midair Collision/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The FAA indefinitely closed most helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport after a midair collision Wednesday night between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash sent both aircraft into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people aboard in the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001. Investigators are examining air traffic control communications, as reports indicate only one controller was coordinating both aircraft at the time. Among the victims were teen figure skaters, parents, hunters, and military personnel. The tragedy has reignited concerns over Washington, DC’s congested airspace.
Deadly DC Air Collision: Quick Look
- FAA shuts down most helicopter routes near Reagan National Airport after crash.
- 67 killed when passenger jet and Black Hawk helicopter collided over the Potomac River.
- Investigators recovered black boxes, analyzing communications between pilots and air traffic control.
- Only one air traffic controller was overseeing both aircraft at the time.
- Victims included teen figure skaters, parents, hunters, and steamfitters.
- DC’s crowded airspace under scrutiny, with recent close calls highlighting safety concerns.
FAA Closes DC Helicopter Routes After Deadly Midair Collision
DC’s Deadliest Air Crash: A Deep Look
FAA Closes Helicopter Corridor Following Fatal Midair Crash
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indefinitely shut down a key low-altitude helicopter corridor following the deadly midair collision over Washington, D.C., an FAA official said.
The decision marks the most significant response since an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter collided Wednesday night, sending both aircraft into the icy Potomac River and killing 67 people.
Route 4 and Route 1 Closed Indefinitely
- The Black Hawk was using “Route 4”, a designated corridor east of Reagan National Airport, primarily used by law enforcement, medevac, military, and government helicopters.
- FAA charts indicate helicopters on this route must fly at or below 200 feet above sea level.
- The route north of the Wilson Bridge, connecting D.C. and Virginia, has been shut down indefinitely.
- Route 1, another key helicopter path south of the Key Bridge, has also been closed as a precaution.
FAA’s Next Steps
The FAA and NTSB continue investigating the cause of the collision, with additional airspace restrictions possible in the coming days.
Collision Over the Potomac: What Happened?
On Wednesday night, American Airlines Flight 5342, carrying 60 passengers and four crew, was preparing to land at Reagan National Airport. At the same time, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Fort Belvoir, Virginia, was conducting a training exercise.
- Air traffic controllers asked the jet to switch runways, which it did.
- Controllers radioed the helicopter, asking if it had the plane in sight—the military pilot confirmed.
- Less than 30 seconds later, the controller instructed the helicopter to hold—but received no response.
- The two aircraft collided over the Potomac, falling into the river in pieces.
By Friday, more than 40 bodies had been recovered. The passenger jet was found upside down in three sections, and the helicopter’s wreckage was also pulled from the water.
Investigators Focus on Air Traffic Control Issues
The FAA report obtained by the AP revealed that only one air traffic controller was coordinating both the helicopter and the jet at the time.
- Normally, two controllers manage military and commercial traffic separately.
- The configuration was “not normal”, according to the report.
- A source familiar with the situation insisted the staffing was routine.
The NTSB has recovered the black boxes from the Bombardier CRJ-700 jet, manufactured in 2004, and is now analyzing pilot communications, flight altitude, and air traffic control actions.
Victims: A Tragic Loss of Life
The crash killed all 67 people aboard, including:
- Teen figure skaters Jinna Han and Spencer Lane, their mothers, and two Russian-born coaches, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov—both former world champions.
- A group of hunters returning from Kansas.
- Nine students and parents from Fairfax County, Virginia.
- Four union steamfitters from Maryland.
- Two Chinese nationals.
- Jet captain Jonathan Campos, 34, and the highly experienced helicopter crew.
Washington’s Crowded Airspace: A Growing Concern
- In May 2024, an American Airlines plane had to abort takeoff to avoid a runway collision.
- Just 24 hours before this crash, another regional jet had to go around due to a military helicopter in the area.
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