FAA Finalizes Airspace Rules After Deadly D.C. Crash; What Changes for DCA?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made permanent the temporary safety rules put in place following last year's deadly mid-air collision near Washington, D.C.. The new final rule, announced Thursday, takes effect immediately on Friday. These regulations aim to improve the safety of the crowded airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

New Airspace Safety Regulations

The FAA's permanent rules focus on separating mixed traffic and improving aircraft visibility. They ensure that helicopters and airplanes will no longer share the same airspace around DCA.

• Mandatory ADS-B Out: All military aircraft must now broadcast their locations using their ADS-B Out systems. This was not routinely done before the crash.
• Eliminating Visual Separation: Air traffic controllers can no longer rely on pilots to maintain visual separation between aircraft. This restriction applies to aircraft operating within five miles (eight kilometers) of the Reagan National Airport.
• Helicopter Route Changes: The agency has also closed a potentially hazardous helicopter route and modified others. This moves helicopter zones farther away from DCA flight paths.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the announcement reaffirms a commitment to secure the skies. "Today’s announcement reaffirms that commitment," Duffy stated.

Context of the Deadly Collision

The permanent rules stem from the investigation into the January 29, 2025, mid-air collision. An American Airlines jet, operating as Flight 5342, was struck by a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The collision over the Potomac River killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft. This was the deadliest plane crash on American soil since 2001. The American Airlines flight was a Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet. Many of the passengers were young figure skaters, their parents, and coaches. They were returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas. The NTSB noted the Black Hawk was flying 78 feet (24 meters) above the route's 200-foot (61-meter) limit. The helicopter also likely had a faulty altimeter. The investigation also revealed a pattern of 85 near misses in the three years before the crash. Air traffic controllers had previously warned the FAA about the dangers of helicopter traffic.

NTSB Investigation and Family Response

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) plans to hold a public board meeting next Tuesday, January 27. The purpose is to detail the factors that contributed to the disaster. The NTSB is expected to issue further recommendations.

Families of the victims are pushing for Congress to act on these recommendations. Matt Collins, who lost his younger brother, said families will continue to advocate for change. "I hope results come out of these hearings that they have," Collins said. He noted that while flying remains safe, it could be a heck of a lot safer. The final rule formalizes significant aviation safety improvements in one of the nation's most complex airspaces.

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