Alarming Aviation Risks Exposed: NTSB Uncovers 15,000 Near Misses at DCA Before Fatal Crash

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The National Transportation Safety Board has revealed a troubling history of aviation risks at Reagan National Airport, with over 15,000 near-miss incidents between helicopters and jets occurring within three years before the tragic midair collision that claimed 67 lives. The crash, involving an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, has intensified scrutiny over flight safety in the area.  

 

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy addressed reporters on Tuesday, describing the situation as an “intolerable risk to aviation safety.” Between October 2021 and December 2024, helicopters and jets at the airport came dangerously close to one another, within one nautical mile and 400 vertical feet, over 15,000 times. Even more concerning, 85 of these incidents saw aircraft separated by just 200 vertical feet. "We remain concerned about the significant potential for future midair collisions at DCA," Homendy warned.  

 

In response, the NTSB is recommending the closure of the helicopter route where the fatal collision took place, calling for an alternative route to be implemented. “We are recommending a permanent solution today,” Homendy stated. She expressed frustration that safety measures had not been enforced sooner, saying the findings left her “angry” that action hadn’t been taken before this tragedy.  

 

Despite the urgent recommendations, several questions remain unanswered. Investigators have not yet disclosed specific details about the altitude at which the Black Hawk helicopter was flying when it collided with the jet, citing ongoing flight data analysis. Conflicting reports emerged, with flight data from the American Airlines jet indicating it was flying at around 313 feet at the time of impact, while Reagan tower data suggested the helicopter was at 278 feet. Given that helicopters flying over the Potomac River are restricted to a ceiling of 200 feet, early findings suggest the chopper may have been well above the legal limit in an already congested airspace.  

 

Investigators have also raised concerns that the Black Hawk’s crew may have been relying on inaccurate altitude data. NTSB officials noted that their instruments could have provided “bad data,” leading them to misjudge their actual altitude. Additionally, a critical miscommunication in the moments before the crash may have played a role. Just seconds before impact, the control tower instructed the chopper crew to “pass behind” the jet, but the crew may have missed this directive because they transmitted a response at the exact moment the instruction was given.  

 

The devastating wreck was the deadliest aviation disaster in the U.S. since November 12, 2001, when an American Airlines flight crashed into a Queens neighborhood shortly after taking off from JFK International Airport, killing 260 people onboard and five on the ground. The NTSB later determined that pilot error was likely responsible for that crash.  

 

Among the victims of January’s tragedy were numerous young athletes who had recently competed in the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championship in Wichita, Kansas. Several parents and coaches accompanying them also lost their lives. At least 14 of the victims were members of the U.S. Figure Skating team, and their deaths sent shockwaves through the tight-knit East Coast skating community.

 

Based on a report by NYP  2025-03-14

 

 

[mfd101]

Take the train.

[mikeymike100]

15,000 near misses, allowing military helicopters to fly in the approach path of aircraft, very luck there weren't many more accidents/deaths. Hard to believe!

[Watawattana]

Having worked in aviation for over 35 years I cannot get my head round this abject failure of basic aviation safety.  The FAA is clearly a failing organisation.  It clearly cannot have a culture of safety that any reasonable person can have faith in.

[JonnyF]

Time to review the hiring practices. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

Looking back at some of the past history it appears that in many cases helos have not flown at the approved altitude above the Potomac but above it decreasing the vertical clearance whereas aircraft on approach to that runway reliably fly a fixed approach descent slope.

[AgMech Cowboy]

Here's a good presentation video of the initial findings.

 

[Maybole]

  On 3/14/2025 at 1:43 AM, Watawattana said:

Having worked in aviation for over 35 years I cannot get my head round this abject failure of basic aviation safety.  The FAA is clearly a failing organisation.  It clearly cannot have a culture of safety that any reasonable person can have faith in.

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I agree, I also worked as a controller for 34 ears before retirement and the procedures in use at Reagan airport appal me. VFR at night is banned in most countries for the reason that it is inherently unsafe. In an urban area it is extremely difficult to pick out another aircraft's lights against the background city lighting. And taking ones eyes off a target to scan instruments even for a second can make it very difficult to re-acquire the other aircraft. I also held a PPL with Night and IMC ratings and so have experience in this field.