A sightseeing flight by a U.S. Army helicopter through restricted Washington, D.C. airspace forced two commercial airliners into emergency maneuvers, reigniting safety concerns following a recent fatal collision.
Key Facts:
- An Army Black Hawk helicopter veered off its direct route and flew a “scenic” path near Reagan National Airport on Thursday around 2:30 p.m.
- The chopper came within 200 to 400 feet of two commercial jets, forcing both planes to abort their landings.
- The FAA and NTSB launched investigations into the “loss of separation” incident.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the incident and vowed to confront the Defense Department.
- Lawmakers from both parties raised alarm, referencing a deadly helicopter-jet collision just three months earlier that killed 67 people.
The Rest of The Story:
The incident unfolded as a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, inbound to the Pentagon, deviated from its standard flight path.
Instead of heading directly to the Army heliport, it took a circuitous route over the capital.
This led to dangerously close encounters with two commercial jets preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.
Air traffic controllers, unsure of the helicopter’s exact position due to radar glitches, instructed Delta Flight 1671 and Republic Airways Flight 5825 to execute go-arounds.
FAA officials later reported that the helicopter temporarily disappeared from radar tracking, complicating control tower efforts to avoid catastrophe.
In response, both the FAA and NTSB opened investigations.
The Army issued a statement claiming the flight followed approved procedures and said the airspace was deconflicted under DCA Air Traffic Control’s guidance.
Nonetheless, the incident raised major red flags given the history of deadly encounters in the area.
Unacceptable. Our helicopter restrictions around DCA are crystal clear. In addition to investigations from @NTSB and @FAANews, I’ll be talking to the @DeptofDefense to ask why the hell our rules were disregarded.
Safety must ALWAYS come first. We just lost 67 souls! No more… https://t.co/7ijmc8MW8v
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) May 2, 2025
Commentary:
Flying a Black Hawk on a “scenic” path through one of the busiest and most sensitive airspaces in the nation isn’t just careless — it’s reckless.
Reagan National’s tightly packed airspace demands precision and discipline, not sightseeing tours.
With recent tragedies still fresh, this misstep shows a troubling disregard for civilian lives and established safety protocols.
Air traffic control already faces major staffing issues.
According to reports, only one supervisor and four certified controllers — plus a trainee — were working at the time.
That’s not enough for such a high-pressure environment.
When layered with radar glitches and surprise helicopter deviations, the system simply cannot maintain safety.
The public deserves better.
Duffy was right to call out the Pentagon and demand answers.
His warning — “No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training” — isn’t overblown.
It’s a common-sense response to prevent another disaster.
If our defense leadership can’t grasp the gravity of these incidents, perhaps it’s time for civilian oversight to step in more forcefully.
Let’s not forget: just months ago, 67 lives were lost due to a helicopter collision with a passenger plane in this same area.
That tragedy was caused, in part, by the pilot ignoring direct instructions.
It resulted in permanent restrictions on nonessential helicopter flights around the airport — rules that should have been crystal clear.
Safety isn’t a perk; it’s a responsibility.
The Department of Defense should prioritize flight discipline over convenience or custom.
Every aircraft that enters civilian-controlled airspace must follow the rules without exception.
No rank justifies unnecessary risk.
The Bottom Line:
A Black Hawk helicopter’s ill-advised path near Reagan National Airport nearly caused another aviation tragedy.
With air traffic control already stretched thin, there is no room for discretionary flights in tightly controlled airspace.
Public officials are right to demand immediate reforms.
Lives are at stake, and the military must follow the same safety standards as every other operator in American skies.
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