FAA weighs permanent helicopter limits around Washington Regional Airport
Grady Trimble from Fox Business speaks with Todd Inman, a member of the National Road Safety Board, about the ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the crash on a DC plane.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Helicopters are planning to use airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to limit the fatal US air accident last month from happening again.
A senior FAA official is considering permanent restrictions on helicopters to land commercial aircraft and take off from the airport before they take off, a source familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.
This is the most deadly US air disaster for over 20 years, and is part of a long-term safety plan around the airport after the US Army Blackhawk collided with American Airlines regional jets on January 29th. Both aircraft fell into the Potomac River after the collision. Sixty-seven people were killed.
American Airlines jet, military helicopter ongoing recovery efforts after air collision near DC
Fox Business has contacted the FAA for comment.
A few days after the incident, the FAA, overseen by Transport Secretary Sean Duffy, restricted helicopter traffic in the Potomac River area around Washington National Airport, extending to Wilson Bridge.
The FAA says these restrictions are National Traffic Safety Commission We will complete a preliminary investigation into the incident that is expected to occur in the coming weeks.
According to the FAA Advisory, private planes are not permitted to be in the same area if police, medical, or presidential transport helicopters need to use airspace.
The NTSB carefully evaluates evidence from cockpit communications, unique sound recordings, Aleron positions, landing gear, altitude pitch, submerged electronics, debris, and interviews with staff working on both aircraft.
The location of crash after American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport and crashed into the Potomac River in Washington, DC There were paramedics and divers working there. (Reuters/Carlos Barrier/Reuters)
Duffy said in a statement earlier this month that he specifically intends to consider operating the air traffic control tower.
“Before this crash, the two air traffic controller locations were combined. One was for helicopters. One was for aircraft and planes. These locations were for crashes. It was merged into one before it happened,” Duffy said.
“So we see, I see the policies and procedures in the tower. Why did that happen? How did they get authority? And we pull back that authority. I’m going to check it out, there’s a proper policy inside the tower and make sure it’s safe when flying.”
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The US flag flies as the search and rescue team works on the aftermath of the American Eagle Flight 5342 collision and a Black Hawk helicopter that crashed into the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia on January 30, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters/Reuters)
Duffy also criticizes it. Operations of helicopters near the airport “we have to really see the safety of this airspace and the surroundings of the national airspace. And once again, we can fly a training mission on another night.
“If you have a general flying in a helicopter for convenience through this airspace, that’s not acceptable. Drive in the damn suburbs. You don’t need to take a helicopter.”