The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that helicopters would be permanently banned from flying near Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., after the fatal crash between an American Airline flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter in January.
According to the Associated Press, federal investigators were trying to find a cause for the crash that killed all 67 people onboard, recently announcing the number of near misses was alarming and noted that helicopters in the area poses far too great of a risk.
The National Transportation Safety Board recently criticized the FAA for not addressing concerns over near misses, that could have ended in tragedy many times if aircraft had been closer to each other by mere feet.
Helicopters had already been restricted since the midair collision on Jan. 29 but will now become permanent with a few exceptions including presidential flights, lifesaving missions, and law enforcement.
Other cities including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Dallas, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles are currently being studied by the FAA to assess if the use of different aircraft poses a greater risk of a crash. Offshore helicopter use along the Gulf Coast is also being assessed.
The Army is backing the FAA’s initiatives to enhance aviation safety in the nation’s capital and plans to adopt “alternative routes to reduce effects on training and readiness,” according to spokesman Matt Ahearn on Friday.
Prior to the collision, 28 government agencies, including the Department of Defense, various military branches, law enforcement, and emergency medical services, were authorized to operate helicopters near Reagan National Airport.
The bans impact is expected to be discussed on March 27 at the Seante Commerce Committee hearing that will include testimony from Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, director of Army aviation, alongside acting FAA administrator Chris Rocheleau and National Transportation Safety Board chairman Jennifer Homendy.
