The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed indefinite helicopter flight restrictions near Reagan Washington National Airport following a midair collision that resulted in 67 fatalities.
The crash involved an American Airlines CRJ700 passenger jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, which collided at around 300 feet altitude before plunging into the Potomac River on Wednesday evening.
41 Bodies Recovered, Recovery Efforts Continue
By Friday, emergency crews had recovered 41 bodies, with 28 positively identified so far. Washington Fire Chief John Donnelly assured that the operation would continue until all bodies are retrieved.
Authorities are also salvaging wreckage from the river, including the black boxes from both aircraft.
FAA Implements Safety Measures
In response to the disaster, the FAA has:
- Restricted helicopter flights near Reagan Airport indefinitely
- Limited airspace access to police and medical helicopters
- Launched an evaluation of air traffic safety
Terry Liercke, Reagan National’s vice president, stated that two out of the airport’s three runways would remain closed for a week, significantly affecting flight operations.
Flight Safety Concerns Rise
The crash has renewed concerns over airspace congestion around Washington, D.C., which hosts:
- Three major airports
- Military bases
- High government helicopter traffic
Senator Maria Cantwell has urged authorities to reassess helicopter flight regulations, citing concerns over minimal separation between military and commercial aircraft.
Trump and Pentagon Respond
Former President Donald Trump claimed the Black Hawk helicopter was flying too high, exceeding its 200-foot limit. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a 48-hour pause on flights for the Virginia-based Army unit involved in the accident.
Investigation Underway
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the American Airlines jet, which had 60 passengers and 4 crew members on board. The Army helicopter’s black box is expected to be recovered soon.
Radio logs indicate that air traffic controllers warned the Black Hawk about the incoming passenger jet and ordered it to change course. However, with only one controller handling air traffic, concerns have emerged regarding FAA staffing shortages.
Tragedy Touches Global Communities
The victims included individuals from Russia, China, Germany, the Philippines, as well as young figure skaters and travelers from Kansas, where the flight originated.
As authorities investigate the cause of the deadliest US air disaster in two decades, aviation safety experts call for urgent reforms to prevent future tragedies.
