Army helicopter loses contact, causes chaos for commercial flights near Pentagon

In early May 2025, an incident occurred involving an Army helicopter approaching the Pentagon that led to two commercial jets aborting landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the United States. Military air traffic controllers experienced a 20-second loss of contact with the Black Hawk helicopter, which raised concerns about air traffic management and safety in the vicinity. The Army revealed that this loss of contact was due to a temporary control tower antenna being improperly located during ongoing construction, resulting in a breakdown of communication needed for safe flight operations. Additionally, it was disclosed that federal air traffic controllers at the airport struggled to ascertain the helicopter's location accurately due to faulty data transmission from multiple feeds and sensors. This incident occurred against the backdrop of previous air traffic safety concerns stemming from a deadly midair collision in January 2025 that claimed 67 lives, heightening scrutiny on air traffic management protocols. Following the event, the Army suspended all operations at the Pentagon as it collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to re-evaluate safety procedures. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy voiced urgent concerns regarding the need for improved air traffic control systems and highlighted ongoing investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). He underscored the significance of prioritizing safety, especially after the recent fatalities caused by an earlier collision. Overall, the incident generated significant discourse on the implications for military flight operations in congested civilian airspace and the need for technological advancements in air traffic management.