The NTSB yesterday issued two urgent safety recommendations to the FAA regarding helicopter routes near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA), citing a history of close calls voluntarily reported by pilots from 2011 to 2024. The recommendations come as the agency continues its investigation of the January 29 midair collision over the Potomac River involving a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 that killed all 67 aboard.
In light of the data it has examined so far, the NTSB is urgently recommending that the FAA permanently prohibit operations on helicopter Route 4 between Haynes Point and the Wilson Bridge when Runways 15 and 33 are used for departures and arrivals at KDCA, and that the FAA designate an alternative helicopter route that can be used to facilitate travel between Haynes Point and the Wilson Bridge when the segment of Route 4 is closed.
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