The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a recommendation to permanently restrict helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) when certain runways are in use, following a catastrophic midair collision that claimed 67 lives.
The preliminary investigation report, released March 11, 2025, underscores the urgent need for revised airspace regulations to prevent future tragedies.
The accident occurred on January 29, 2025, at approximately 20:50 local time, when an American Eagle regional jet collided midair with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. Both aircraft subsequently crashed into the Potomac River, resulting in the loss of all passengers and crew members on board.
The airliner was approaching Runway 33 at DCA when it collided with a Black Hawk, which was following designated helicopter Route 4 in the area.
A history of close calls
Investigators revealed that between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 85 recorded incidents where airplanes and helicopters came dangerously close to each other in the same airspace. These encounters involved lateral separations of less than 1,500 feet and vertical separations of under 200 feet, distances that the NTSB deems insufficient to ensure safety.
The report concludes that the current separation parameters for helicopter traffic operating on Route 4, which runs between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge, present an unacceptable risk when Runway 33 is in use for landings or when Runway 15 is used for departures at DCA.
NTSB recommendations
To mitigate the risk of further accidents, the NTSB has put forth two recommendations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
Ban helicopter operations on Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge when Runway 15 or Runway 33 is active at DCA.
Establish an alternative helicopter route that facilitates essential air traffic, including law enforcement activities, Coast Guard patrols, and continuity of government operations, when the segment of Route 4 is closed.
Official reactions
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed her frustration over the lack of response to clear safety indicators, emphasizing that preventative measures should have been implemented.
“This situation makes me incredibly angry. […] There were clear indicators that safety improvements were needed,” Homendy stated during a press conference following the report’s release. “Data from October 2021 through December 2024 showed a clear trend and a problem with that route, but no action was taken.”
US Secretary of Transport Sean Duffy expressed similar concerns during a separate briefing.
“The data was available, but it wasn’t effectively analyzed to recognize the level of risk we faced,” Duffy noted. “Does it frustrate me? Yes.”
He also announced plans for a multi-billion-dollar update to the US air traffic control (ATC) system.
“I fully support efforts to improve efficiency and reduce the size of our government, but there are certain areas where investment is necessary,” the transport secretary asserted. This statement echoes recent clashes between Duffy and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as reported by The New York Times.
“We will aim to implement these changes as cost-effectively as possible, but the total cost will be in the tens of billions of dollars to address the issues. I am confident that Congress will allocate the necessary funding. There are knowledgeable legislators who understand this area, and we will seek their feedback.”
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom also responded to the situation.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Duffy for the FAA’s quick action immediately following the accident to temporarily suspend helicopter traffic around DCA, and for their commitment now to adopt NTSB’s urgent safety recommendations regarding the suspension of helicopter traffic around the airport,” Isom said. “I also commend President Trump, Secretary Duffy and the FAA’s continued efforts to supercharge staffing and invest in a modern, state-of-the-art air traffic control system.”
