Close to one year after a fatal midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter in Washington, D.C., the federal government is moving to permanently restrict certain aircraft types from operating around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA).
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that the FAA is formalizing restrictions for helicopters and powered lift aircraft in certain areas near Washington National unless they are conducting essential operations.
The agency is set to publish an interim final rule on Friday that will prohibit helicopter operations when runways 15 and 33 are in use. The rule is based on recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is still reviewing the accident.
“After that horrific night in January, this administration made a promise to do whatever it takes to secure the skies over our nation’s capital and ensure such a tragedy would never happen again. Today’s announcement reaffirms that commitment,” Duffy said in a statement. “The safety of the American people will always be our top priority. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the NTSB on any additional actions.”
The public is invited to submit comments on the new regulations before the FAA decides on issuing a final rule.
The FAA and U.S. Department of Transportation have already implemented a number of measures meant to reduce mixed military and civilian air traffic around Washington National. These include closing a potentially hazardous helicopter route, requiring military aircraft to use ADS-B Out in the area, and eliminating the use of visual separation within 5 nm of the airport.
In October, the FAA updated helicopter routes and zones at Washington National, Washington Dulles International Airport (KIAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI) in Maryland.
A total of 67 people on both aircraft were killed in the collision on January 29, 2025. The American Airlines flight, operated by PSA Airlines under the American Eagle brand, was traveling from Wichita, Kansas, and was set to land at Washington National. The Black Hawk was on a nighttime training flight.
The U.S. government has acknowledged its partial responsibility for the crash in court documents in response to lawsuits from family members of the victims. The government contends that American Airlines and PSA Airlines are also at fault.
