On Thursday, two commercial flights approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport were forced to perform “go-arounds” due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter, in light of heightened concerns about aviation safety following a deadly mid-air collision in January that killed 67 people. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed discontent, highlighting that helicopter restrictions in the area are clear and demanding answers from the Pentagon regarding the incident.
The helicopter was reportedly conducting flight operations to the Pentagon in accordance with FAA-approved routes when Pentagon Air Traffic Control instructed the aircraft to maneuver. As a precaution, the two commercial flights were also redirected to prevent any potential airspace conflicts. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during this incident, which occurred around 2:30 PM.
The helicopter had two pilots and a crew chief on board, practicing approaches as part of a Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan, although it was flying below the 200-foot legal ceiling for helicopters near the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently investigating.
The January collision had previously raised alarms regarding the safety of congested airspace around the airport. Investigations revealed that the helicopter involved in that crash exceeded the 200-foot limit, with the NTSB chair suggesting a need for stricter regulations on helicopter traffic near Reagan National Airport to mitigate aviation risks. In light of the recent go-arounds and the previous tragic incident, safety concerns regarding helicopter operations in the area are under increased scrutiny.
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