A slew of false Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) alerts near Reagan National Airport (KDCA) in Washington, D.C., last month has garnered attention from lawmakers. Last week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) blamed these March 1 alerts on the “improper” testing of counter-drone technology by the Navy and Secret Service.
Several flights reported these alerts while on the River Visual for Runway 19. One Republic Airways crew noted an onboard alert at roughly 1,200 feet, adding that “there was something diving straight onto us,” per air traffic control audio recordings. Another PSA crew said it received two traffic advisories, warning of a non-imminent collision.
