WASHINGTON — Following last week’s incidents involving helicopter flights near a Washington airport, the U.S. Army has temporarily halted operations to ensure safety. The precautionary pause comes after two commercial airplanes aborted landings due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter en route to the Pentagon.
The 12th Aviation Battalion’s commander ordered a halt to helicopter flights around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after these close calls on Thursday. Two Army officials revealed that the suspension took effect on Friday, though the unit continues its operations within the broader Washington, D.C., vicinity.
The halt is a response to previous concerns, notably the tragic midair collision in January, which claimed 67 lives when a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan Airport. Officials conveyed information under the promise of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the details, which remain publicly undisclosed.
According to an Army document, the battalion had recently begun a gradual resumption of flights with plans to incrementally increase activity over the subsequent month. The National Transportation Safety Board identified Thursday’s near-misses as involving both a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170. The Federal Aviation Administration noted both aircraft were directed to “perform go-arounds” due to the presence of a “priority air transport” helicopter.
These helicopters, operated by the 12th battalion, transport high-ranking Pentagon officials. It was a similar Black Hawk, designated PAT25, involved in the January tragedy, marking it as the most severe U.S. midair disaster in over 20 years. Following that event, the FAA banned helicopters from entering airspace around Reagan Airport reserved for airplanes.
Investigations by the NTSB and FAA are ongoing regarding the latest close encounter involving an Army helicopter. According to the Army, the UH-60 Black Hawk adhered to established FAA flight routes and directions from Reagan Airport’s air traffic control, complying with directives to conduct a ‘go-around’ over the Pentagon helipad.
Despite these measures, helicopter traffic remains a concern at the bustling airport. Recently, three flights cleared for landing at Reagan were redirected due to the urgent presence of a police helicopter. All eventually landed without incident.
The alarming frequency of close calls near Reagan Airport, highlighted by the NTSB post-January crash, has spurred safety reviews. Investigators pointed to 85 near-misses within three years preceding the crash as a sign of escalating risk, noting previous FAA oversight inadequacies in recognizing this critical trend.
Responding to these patterns, the FAA launched a comprehensive review of helicopter-heavy airspace across the country, identifying safety concerns, especially at Las Vegas airport due to its helicopter tour operations. This assessment remains active.
In related developments, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport faced extensive flight delays and cancellations on Monday. Contributing factors cited by the FAA included a shortage of air traffic controllers, poor weather conditions, and outdated control equipment needing upgrades.