The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the permanent closure of a helicopter route near Washington DC’s airport where a fatal midair collision involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter resulted in the tragic deaths of 67 people.
The big picture: The decision to permanently restrict helicopters from flying in this area comes after federal investigators recommended a ban on some helicopter flights following a series of near misses that highlighted the significant risk posed by the current airspace arrangement.
- The FAA, responsible for managing the nation’s airspace and ensuring aviation safety, faced criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the high number of close calls in the congested skies around Ronald Reagan National Airport.
- This closure of the helicopter route near the airport formalizes the restrictions that were temporarily imposed after the Jan 29 midair collision. The only exceptions permitted under the FAA order are presidential flights, law enforcement operations, and lifesaving missions.
What we’re watching: The FAA is also examining other cities with busy helicopter routes, including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles, as well as offshore helicopter operations along the Gulf Coast.
- The upcoming Senate Commerce Committee hearing on March 27 will address the impact of the airspace changes around Reagan National.
