Incident Highlights Concerns Over Helicopter Safety
On Thursday, two commercial flights, Delta flight 1671 and Republic flight 5825, were instructed by air traffic controllers to perform go-arounds due to a US Army Black Hawk helicopter approaching the Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident highlights concerns over helicopter safety in the area. • The helicopter was part of the 12th Aviation Battalion out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the same unit involved in the January 29 midair collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter. • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Army are investigating the incident. • Air traffic controllers instructed the two flights to perform go-arounds to ensure deconfliction of airspace.
Details of the Incident
* The helicopter was directed by Pentagon Air Traffic Control to conduct a ‘go-around’ over the Pentagon helipad. * The incident occurred at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. * The helicopter was not in a restricted area put in place by the agency in the days after the January 29 midair collision.
| Flying Distance | Aircraft Type | Distance to Helicopter |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Flight 1671 | Civil Fixed Wing Aircraft | 0.89 miles and 400 feet |
| Republic Flight 5825 | Civil Fixed Wing Aircraft | 0.4 miles and 200 feet |
Investigation and Response
The US Army spokesperson, Capt. Victoria Goldfedib, stated, “The United States Army remains committed to aviation safety and conducting flight operations within all approved guidelines and procedures.” The incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA.
Concerns Over Airspace Security
The ranking Democrat on the Senate committee overseeing the FAA, Sen. Maria Cantwell, called on the agency and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, “to give our airspace the security and safety attention it deserves.” Sen. Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, said he would pursue legislation to “keep the flying public safe from Army helicopter flights that are dangerously close” to the airport.
Helicopter Safety Record
According to the NTSB, there were 15,214 “near miss events” between 2021 and 2024 nationwide where aircraft were within one nautical mile of colliding, with a vertical separation of less than 400 feet. Additionally, there were also 85 cases where two aircraft were separated by less than 1,500 feet, with a vertical separation of less than 200 feet.
Aircraft Avoidance Measures
The Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, said the Pentagon may need to look into ground transportation more often, which he said may be a safer option, rather than putting commercial flights at risk. Duffy added that the air traffic controllers did the right thing by diverting the flights.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy’s Statement
The NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated, “We remain concerned about the significant potential for a future midair collision.” She added that the NTSB will continue to investigate the incident and provide recommendations to improve aviation safety.
Recommendations for Improvement
The NTSB will likely recommend several improvements to aviation safety, including:
-
Enhanced Helicopter Flight Procedures
The NTSB will likely recommend that the FAA develop enhanced helicopter flight procedures to reduce the risk of midair collisions.
-
Increased Airspace Security Measures
The NTSB will likely recommend that the FAA and the US Army increase airspace security measures to prevent midair collisions.
-
Improved Air Traffic Control Procedures
The NTSB will likely recommend that the FAA and the US Army improve air traffic control procedures to reduce the risk of midair collisions.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the ongoing concerns over helicopter safety in the area. The NTSB will likely recommend several improvements to aviation safety, including enhanced helicopter flight procedures, increased airspace security measures, and improved air traffic control procedures. The FAA and the US Army will need to work together to address these concerns and prevent future midair collisions.
