In the deadliest U.S. air disaster in over two decades, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided near Washington’s Reagan National Airport, killing 67 people. Investigations have revealed that the Black Hawk had turned off its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system, a key safety feature used for tracking aircraft locations.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz raised concerns over the decision to disable ADS-B, noting that the helicopter was on a training mission with no pressing national security reason to justify turning it off. While the aircraft still had a transponder for radar visibility, ADS-B offers significantly more accurate tracking. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the helicopter was flying approximately 100 feet above the maximum altitude allowed for that route before the collision.
Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee, also questioned the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) policy that has permitted military flights to operate with ADS-B turned off since 2018. In response, the FAA has initiated a safety review of airports with high volumes of mixed helicopter and airplane traffic. Additionally, the FAA has imposed new flight restrictions around Reagan National Airport until at least late February, with two lesser-used runways remaining closed. During police, medical, or presidential helicopter operations, civilian planes are now prohibited from sharing the same airspace.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that cockpit voice recorder data suggests the helicopter pilot was wearing night vision goggles at the time of the crash. The Black Hawk has since been recovered from the Potomac River, but officials say it may take days to confirm whether its ADS-B system was turned off during the crash.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has also questioned certain military training and operational protocols following the tragic incident. As investigations continue, the crash has reignited debate over aviation safety policies and the use of advanced tracking technology in military and civilian airspace.
