Army Halts Helicopter Flights Near Reagan Airport Following Safety Incidents
Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Army has paused helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport after two commercial pilots had to abort landings last week due to a Black Hawk helicopter maneuvering towards the Pentagon. This decision follows a recent midair collision that tragically resulted in 67 deaths when a passenger jet struck a Black Hawk in January.
The commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion ordered the halt on Friday, confirmed by Army officials speaking anonymously. This unit, responsible for transporting high-level Pentagon officials, had just begun to increase its flights after a previous suspension. However, the recent incidents prompted a reevaluation of safety protocols.
The close call on Thursday involved a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170, both of which were directed by air traffic control to "perform go-arounds" due to the helicopter’s proximity. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this helicopter was identified as a “priority air transport” aircraft known to be involved in the earlier January disaster.
In light of heightened safety concerns, the FAA had previously imposed restrictions on helicopter flights in the vicinity of Reagan Airport. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are ongoing, particularly following findings that 85 near-misses occurred in the years leading up to the January tragedy, indicating a serious safety issue.
While the helicopter flights have ceased near Reagan Airport, the Army continues to operate in the broader D.C. area. This pause reflects a growing emphasis on passenger safety amidst ongoing scrutiny of air traffic management systems, following delays and cancellations reported at other airports, including Newark Liberty International, linked to air traffic control challenges.
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