The U.S. Transportation Secretary expressed strong concerns on Friday after two commercial aircraft had to abort their landings at a Washington airport due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying to the Pentagon. Sean Duffy deemed the situation “unacceptable” and criticized the oversight, declaring his intent to discuss the situation with the Department of Defense to uncover why safety protocols were ignored.
Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are underway regarding the incident that took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday. This occurrence comes on the heels of a tragic January accident where a collision between a passenger jet and an Army helicopter resulted in 67 fatalities. Subsequently, the FAA enforced a permanent restriction against helicopters flying near Reagan National on the collision-prone route.
Duffy emphasized the importance of safety above all else, expressing on social media that having lost 67 lives previously, the necessity for aircraft prioritization has become critical. He remarked, “Safety must ALWAYS come first… No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians.”
The Thursday incident reportedly involved a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170. Air traffic control, according to an FAA statement, directed both aircraft around 2:30 p.m. to perform “go-arounds” due to a “priority air transport” helicopter. The FAA informed Congress in a separate note that the aircraft were not within the restricted area and implied that the helicopter’s path “took a scenic route around the Pentagon,” rather than heading directly to its destination.
Capt. Victoria Goldfedib, an Army spokesperson, explained that the UH-60 Blackhawk adhered to established FAA flight paths and followed directives from Reagan National air traffic control. At one point, the Pentagon directed a “go-around” maneuver, adhering to the protocol for overflying the Pentagon helipad, prompting the affected aircraft to receive adjusted guidance from air traffic control to manage airspace deconfliction.
Goldfedib underscored the Army’s dedication to maintaining aviation safety within all prescribed guidelines. Moreover, Emma Johnson of Delta Air Lines reaffirmed the importance of passenger and public safety and pledged cooperation with the upcoming investigations. Republic Airways also committed to supporting the investigative efforts.
The FAA, currently under scrutiny, especially from NTSB observations of frequent near-miss threats in Reagan National’s busy airspace, remains under pressure since it was associated with the January accident’s aftermath. Restrictions now permanently limit helicopter access near the airport, with specific exceptions for certain essential missions, including presidential use and emergency operations.
Sen. Ted Cruz, chairing the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, highlighted on social media the risks Army helicopters pose when flying close to the airport. He credited swift actions from air traffic controllers and pilots for averting a possible disaster that could have claimed numerous lives.
Sen. Maria Cantwell pointed out that the helicopter was from the same brigade involved in the January crash and that the latest incident occurred shortly after the brigade resumed flights in the region. She urged a timely reevaluation of defense and FAA safety protocols to ensure public safety in U.S. airspace.