FAA Restricts Helicopters, Powered Lift Aircraft Around Washington National

Interim rule implementing NTSB recommendations for the airspace will go into effect on Friday.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 05:15 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

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

Key Takeaways:

The federal government is formalizing permanent flight restrictions for helicopters and powered lift aircraft around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA).
These new rules, based on NTSB recommendations and an interim final rule, include prohibiting helicopter operations on runways 15 and 33, following a fatal midair collision nearly a year ago that killed 67 people, for which the government has admitted partial fault.

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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.