NTSB probes urgent safety incident at Reagan National Airport

In the United States, two commercial flights were instructed to abort their landings at Reagan National Airport on a Thursday afternoon due to the presence of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter approaching the Pentagon. This incident raised serious concerns, particularly in the wake of a recent midair collision that resulted in 67 fatalities involving an Army helicopter and a commercial airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that air traffic controllers directed Delta flight 1671 and Republic flight 5825 to perform go-arounds to ensure the safety of all aircraft in the vicinity. On the day of the incident, the Delta flight came within 0.89 miles and 400 feet of the helicopter, while the Republic flight was even closer, at 0.4 miles and 200 feet. These close calls have prompted extensive scrutiny regarding the safety protocols for military helicopters operating near crowded airspace, especially in light of the recent tragic collision involving an Army helicopter. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed outrage at the repeated risks posed to commercial flights, emphasizing that such close encounters are unacceptable. He indicated a need for the Pentagon to consider alternative transportation methods instead of exposing civilian air traffic to potential danger. An FAA report indicated that, although the helicopter was not operating in a restricted area, ongoing concerns about helicopter activities in congested airspace persist. Senator Maria Cantwell also criticized the operation of the Army's aviation unit so soon after the previous deadly collision, highlighting that safety and security in airspace must be prioritized. As investigations proceed, the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are keen on determining the circumstances that led to the aborted landings, seeking to ensure no further incidents occur in the future.