ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation into two commercial flights that had to abort their landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday. This incident coincided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter’s approach to the Pentagon, raising safety concerns in an already scrutinized airspace.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that around 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, air traffic controllers instructed Delta flight 1671 and Republic flight 5825 to execute go-arounds due to the Black Hawk helicopter’s arrival, ensuring the safety and separation of aircraft. US Army spokesperson Capt. Victoria Goldfedib confirmed that the Black Hawk was following approved flight protocols and that the go-arounds were a necessary precaution.
This latest incident comes three months after a tragic midair collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines flight, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. In light of that event, helicopters operating near the airport have faced increased scrutiny from both federal and military authorities.
Sen. Maria Cantwell, who oversees the FAA, expressed outrage over the recurrence of such incidents involving Army helicopters so soon after the previous disaster. “It is unacceptable that less than a week after resuming flights in the National Capital Region, the same Army brigade is again putting passenger jets in danger,” Cantwell said.
Sen. Ted Cruz, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, echoed these sentiments and announced his intent to pursue legislation aimed at enhancing the safety of the national airspace. He emphasized the need for the FAA to take decisive action to prevent military flights from jeopardizing commercial aviation.
The FAA disclosed that the Delta flight came within 0.89 miles and 400 feet of the helicopter, while the Republic flight was even closer, at 0.4 miles and 200 feet. A preliminary FAA report indicated that the Black Hawk did not proceed directly to the Pentagon Heliport, complicating its flight path.
Despite the helicopter’s operation falling outside of a restricted zone implemented after the earlier collision, concerns remain about potential future incidents. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested that the Pentagon consider ground transportation options more frequently to minimize risks to commercial aviation. He commended air traffic controllers for their prompt reaction during the go-around order.
The NTSB has previously raised alarms over the increasing number of near-miss incidents nationwide. Investigators reported over 15,000 events from 2021 to 2024 where aircraft came perilously close to colliding, underscoring the tension between military operations and civilian air travel.
The previous collision involved a military helicopter on a training mission and an American Airlines jet landing under clear conditions. Preliminary investigations suggested that technical issues, such as an inaccurate altimeter, may have contributed to that disaster.
As authorities continue their investigations, the emphasis remains on ensuring airspace safety, balancing military needs with the protection of commercial flights. The overall concern for potential tragic outcomes looms large as experts and policymakers seek to address these critical safety issues effectively.