WASHINGTON – Pilots operating flights into the Washington, D.C. area have reported close calls, with nearly twelve incidents resembling the tragic midair collision that claimed 67 lives recently. This has stirred significant concerns among aviators, with one stating that Reagan National Airport may be “probably the most dangerous” in the country.
An examination of a federal database that tracks such safety issues reveals numerous reports of near-misses and concerns regarding the overcrowded airspace above the nation’s capital over the past twenty years. Pilots have consistently raised alarms about military helicopters flying uncomfortably close to commercial passenger aircraft.
In May, an alarming situation occurred when a military helicopter flew merely 300 feet below a commercial jetliner, prompting an automatic collision alert within the cockpit. The pilot of the jet filed a report in NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System, which allows crew members to anonymously share safety concerns. The pilot noted that he “never saw it” coming, adding that there were no prior warnings from air traffic control regarding the nearby helicopter.
This situation underscores growing tensions between commercial airline pilots, who are increasingly anxious about helicopter proximity, and military operations necessary for national security. Despite the potential dangers highlighted, it remains unclear if federal agencies recognized these issues or took preventative measures. In response to heightened concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a temporary halt to most helicopter operations around the airport, granting exceptions only for emergency services and the president’s helicopter.
This decision followed an incident where an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight approaching the airport late Wednesday night, resulting in both aircraft plunging into the cold waters of the Potomac River. Tragically, no individuals on board survived the crash.
Investigators are scrutinizing the helicopter’s altitude at the time of the collision, as well as the staffing levels in the control tower, which reportedly had one controller performing tasks typically divided between two personnel during peak periods. In the week preceding the incident, at least two other aircraft had to abort their landings due to dangerously close encounters with helicopters. In light of recent events, some officials have challenged the necessity of military flights operating near the airport.
“I have yet to hear a satisfactory explanation for why military helicopters are conducting training in the same airspace as commercial flights — especially at night during busy traffic periods. I advocate for an indefinite suspension of these exercises while the investigation is underway,” said Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri.
Several military, federal, and local agencies utilize helicopter airspace near Reagan National Airport, relying on these same routes for training and operational missions, as outlined by both current and former Army pilots. The Black Hawk involved in the collision was affiliated with Fort Belvoir’s 12th Aviation Battalion, a unit known for conducting sensitive missions critical to national security.
“Training must mimic real-world scenarios to ensure readiness,” explained Brad Bowman, a former Black Hawk pilot involved in securing government officials during events like the September 11 attacks.
There is a recognition of the need for military helicopters in the Washington area, as they transport high-ranking officials routinely. Jonathan Koziol, chief of staff for Army aviation, pointed out that the proximity to the Pentagon necessitates these flights.
The recent crash, coupled with the insights drawn from the federal database, brings to light the distinct challenges of navigating Reagan National Airport. Described as a small airport squeezed into a tight space with water on three sides, this facility operates amidst continuous congestion along the busy Potomac River corridor.
Though modernized, the airport still reflects its historical origins, dating back to an era when propeller planes were commonplace and airstrips were built in compact downtown locations. Pilots have expressed repeated concerns over the last two decades regarding congested airspace and the risks associated with helicopter and aircraft interaction at this airport.
In a 2015 report, one pilot opined that Reagan Airport might be the most dangerous in the nation, citing pressure on controllers to manage heavy traffic. Compounded by extensive military helicopter activity, the risk levels are concerning. In another close call in 2015, a pilot recounted how careful maneuvering was necessary to avoid a collision with a helicopter while approaching the runway.
An air traffic controller, who was involved in an incident years ago, described the helicopter operations as detrimental to safe aircraft movements, indicating a shocking level of complacency within the aviation industry regarding these recurring safety risks.
“What would typically raise alarms at any other airport is now something we accept as normal,” noted one concerned pilot in the database.
