FAA Imposes Helicopter Flight Restrictions Near Washington D.C. Following Fatal Mid-Air Collision

In response to a tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac River that resulted in 67 fatalities, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced immediate restrictions on helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident involved an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft and a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk helicopter, both of which were on approach to the airport when the collision occurred.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the Black Hawk helicopter was flying at an altitude of 300 feet, exceeding the mandated 200 feet, and lacked the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, which could have alerted air traffic control to its incorrect altitude. In light of these findings, the FAA has indefinitely closed specific helicopter routes near the airport, permitting only police and medical helicopters to operate in these areas.

The U.S. Army has also suspended flights of the 12th Aviation Battalion, responsible for transporting top military and senior officials within the U.S., pending a comprehensive safety review. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an ongoing investigation into the cause of the collision, with a preliminary report expected in 30 days and a final report anticipated within a year.

This incident has prompted discussions about the safety of military helicopter operations in Washington D.C.’s congested airspace, with some lawmakers calling for a reevaluation of current protocols to prevent future tragedies.