In response to the tragic mid-air collision on January 29, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which claimed 67 lives, a U.S. House oversight subcommittee has launched an investigation into the incident and the military’s use of airspace in the capital region.
The collision involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle Flight 5342, operated by an American Airlines regional partner. The House Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs is scrutinizing why the Army helicopter lacked the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) safety system and why night vision goggles were used during a routine training flight.
A crane retrieves part of the wreckage from the Potomac River, in the aftermath of the collision of American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the river, by the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
Lawmakers have requested Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outline measures being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future, according to Reuters.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued urgent safety recommendations following the crash, leading to immediate restrictions on helicopter flights near the airport during specific runway operations. These measures aim to mitigate risks associated with airspace congestion and enhance aviation safety.
Jennifer Homendy, chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board takes questions from members of the news media during a briefing on the January 29 mid-air collision of an Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, U.S., March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis
Prior to the collision, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had recorded numerous near-miss incidents at Reagan National Airport. Despite this data, no significant actions were taken to address the escalating risks, according to the Associated Press. The recent tragedy has intensified criticism of the FAA’s oversight and heightened the need for more proactive safety measures.
Aviation experts have expressed concerns over the increasing frequency of close calls at airports across the United States. Factors such as air traffic controller shortages and inadequate warning systems contribute to the expanded risk of collisions. The January incident highlights the urgency for comprehensive reforms in air traffic management and military coordination within civilian airspace.
Mar 2, 2025; Washington D.C., USA; A member of the development camp for Team USA jumps during a performance at the Legacy on Ice benefit to support victims of the tragedy at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The House subcommittee’s research seeks to address these systemic issues, aiming to enhance the safety of American air travel and prevent future tragedies. As the investigation unfolds, it is expected to prompt critical evaluations of current protocols and the implementation of more stringent safety measures across both military and civilian aviation sectors.
