FAA's Dangerous Delay: Helicopter Proximity at Reagan Airport Under Scrutiny

U.S. senators criticized the FAA for ignoring 15,000 reports of helicopter proximity issues near Reagan Airport. The NTSB reported numerous close calls and issued urgent recommendations. The FAA has now made helicopter restrictions permanent. Senators question why safety measures weren't implemented sooner.

During a Senate Commerce aviation subcommittee hearing, U.S. senators condemned the Federal Aviation Administration for neglecting to address over 15,000 incidents of helicopters dangerously approaching commercial aircraft near Reagan Washington National Airport.

The NTSB revealed more than 15,200 occurrences with inadequate separation distances since 2021, leading to 85 close-call incidents. The NTSB urged the FAA for immediate action to restrict helicopter traffic, a recommendation the FAA has recently made permanent.

Senators demanded answers from Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau and questioned the U.S. Army's failure to utilize ADS-B safety systems on helicopter flights. The inquiry focuses on ensuring such oversights don't happen again.

(With inputs from agencies.)