FAA Announces ADS-B Out Requirement for Reagan Airport

Acting administrator Chris Rocheleau describes the measure during a Senate hearing on the NTSB’s preliminary report on January’s fatal midair collision.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 05:29 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

A Black Hawk helicopter over Washington. [Credit: Nicholas Priest/U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Following a fatal midair collision, the FAA immediately mandated Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transponder usage for all aircraft in Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) Class B airspace and began using AI to identify collision hot spots at other airports.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report revealed numerous prior "close calls" at KDCA and issues with Army Black Hawk ADS-B Out systems that were not consistently transmitting, highlighting significant data sharing gaps and a lack of coordination between the FAA, NTSB, and the Army.
Senators criticized the FAA for delayed action and exemptions to the new rule, while agencies acknowledged past oversight failures and stressed the need for improved inter-agency communication, data sharing, and increased resources to enhance aviation safety.

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Acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau on Thursday announced new safety measures for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) in the wake of January’s fatal midair collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and commercial passenger jet, which killed 67 people.

Speaking during a Senate hearing on the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report on the incident, Rocheleau revealed that “effective today,” the FAA will require any aircraft traveling in KDCA Class B airspace to turn on Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transponders.