Washington Collision Prompts Proposal to Restrict Helicopter Flights

The investigation into the January 29 mid-air collision between a passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives, is ongoing. Following the crash, investigators have proposed restricting certain helicopter flights to enhance aviation safety.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy highlighted that current regulations allow aircraft and helicopters to come as close as 75 feet (about 23 meters) during landing. She also revealed that between October 2021 and December 2024, there were 15,214 incidents in which aircraft dangerously approached helicopters.

Homendy has urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to permanently ban helicopter operations at Washington-area airports when runways 15 and 33 are in use and to establish alternative flight routes. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has suspended all helicopter traffic over the Potomac River until March 31.