Congress Hears Testimony on Deadly Aircraft Collision That Killed 67

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator has acknowledged the agency must do more to prioritize safety following the deadly American Airlines and Army helicopter collision that claimed 67 lives near Washington, DC early this year.

Key Takeaways

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial aircraft and military helicopters at Reagan National Airport between October 2021 and December 2024.
Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau acknowledged that “something was missed” in FAA oversight, taking responsibility for the failure to prevent the collision.
Army helicopters had routinely flown with location-tracking systems disabled, with the helicopter involved in the crash not transmitting ADS-B data for 730 days before the accident.
New safety measures require all aircraft near Reagan National to broadcast location data using ADS-B Out technology, and certain helicopter routes have been permanently banned.

FAA Acknowledges Need for Improvement

Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau faced intense questioning during a congressional hearing investigating the January 29 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash, which occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), resulted in 67 fatalities. During his testimony, Rocheleau made a significant admission about the agency’s failure to identify and address safety concerns despite extensive data pointing to ongoing hazards in the airspace surrounding the airport.

“Between October 2021 and December 2024 there were over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial aircraft and helicopters at DCA,” NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy said, revealing that this information was readily available to the public.

Rocheleau, who was named acting FAA Administrator in January, told the Senate committee, “Something was missed at the DCA crash. I take that seriously. I take that on myself.” This acknowledgment came as lawmakers expressed disbelief that the agency had failed to act on data showing 85 documented close calls in the same airspace prior to the fatal collision that could have resulted in similar tragedy. The NTSB investigation revealed that the Army helicopter had been practicing emergency evacuation routes while the commercial jet, a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 operating as an American Airlines flight, was directed to use a shorter runway than initially planned.

FAA acknowledges it must do better after deadly DC air collision that killed 67https://t.co/GIu6s4K7LD

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Military Operations and Communication Breakdowns

A critical point during the hearing involved the Army helicopter’s disabled location-tracking system. Homendy reported the helicopter had not transmitted its location data for 730 days prior to the crash. This revelation prompted Senator Ted Cruz to demand transparency from military officials about their protocols.

The US Army’s head of aviation acknowledged that helicopters routinely fly with location systems disabled due to mission sensitivity concerns. However, this practice has now come under intense scrutiny. Former Black Hawk pilot Tim Lilley criticized the Army for failing to implement basic safety improvements and lacking accountability in their aviation operations. The investigation also revealed that the helicopter crew was using night-vision goggles at the time of the crash, which significantly limited their peripheral vision and ability to spot oncoming aircraft.

New Safety Measures and Ongoing Investigation

In response to the tragedy, the FAA has implemented several safety measures. All aircraft operating near Reagan National Airport are now required to broadcast their locations using ADS-B Out technology, with limited exceptions for high-security missions. The specific helicopter route involved in the collision has been permanently banned under most circumstances. The hearing also revealed that the FAA is now leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze airspace data for potential safety threats at airports with similar helicopter-aircraft congestion patterns.

“We have to do better. We have to identify trends, we have to get smarter about how we use data, and when we put corrective actions in place, we must execute them,” Rocheleau stated.

The NTSB expects to complete its investigation within a year and continues recovering wreckage from the crash site. Adding to the concerns raised during the hearing was the revelation that false collision alarms had recently been triggered by improper testing of counter-drone technology by the Secret Service and Navy. Senator Cruz said it was “deeply disturbing that just a month after 67 people died while on approach to DCA, that the Secret Service and Pentagon would inadvertently cause multiple flights to receive urgent cockpit alerts recommending evasive action.”

Communications and Radio Transmission Issues

A significant factor in the collision may be communication failures between air traffic control and the helicopter crew. NTSB Chairwoman Homendy noted that the Black Hawk’s cockpit recorder suggested an incomplete radio transmission may have prevented the crew from hearing critical instructions from air traffic control immediately before the crash. These instructions reportedly included directions for the helicopter to position itself behind the commercial jet, which might have prevented the collision if properly received and acknowledged.

The Department of Transportation has agreed to follow the NTSB’s recommendations for improved helicopter operations procedures near Reagan Airport. As the investigation continues, both military and civilian aviation authorities face increasing pressure to address the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to occur and to implement lasting reforms that will prevent similar incidents in the future. The AI-led review by the FAA to identify similar safety threats at other congested airports is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.