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Congress Investigates Deadly Potomac River Midair Collision

Lawmakers probe military airspace practices and FAA oversight after crash near Reagan National Airport kills 67.

  • The January 29 collision involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, resulting in 67 fatalities.
  • The House Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs is investigating military airspace usage and safety protocols in the Washington, D.C. region.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the helicopter exceeded altitude limits and lacked a key safety system, ADS-B, at the time of the crash.
  • Lawmakers and safety experts have criticized the FAA and military for failing to address long-standing airspace congestion and near-miss incidents at Reagan National Airport.
  • The FAA has implemented temporary restrictions on helicopter routes near the airport, with calls for permanent safety measures to prevent future accidents.
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