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.