Air TransportNTSB cites FAA failures in fatal mid-air collision near Washington in 2025
The mid-air collision between a regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025 was the result of systemic failures by the Federal Aviation Administration, according to findings released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The accident occurred on January 29, 2025, at around 8:48 p.m. local time, when a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 operating as American Eagle Flight 5342 collided with a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter operated by the U.S. Army under the callsign PAT25.
The collision took place approximately half a mile southeast of the airport before both aircraft crashed into the Potomac River. All 67 people on board the two aircraft were killed, making it the deadliest U.S. aviation accident in more than two decades.
In a board meeting held on January 27, the NTSB concluded that the crash was preventable and stemmed primarily from the FAA’s long-standing decision to allow helicopter traffic to operate in close proximity to commercial flight paths at the airport without sufficient safeguards. Investigators found that the FAA failed to act on repeated internal warnings and data indicating a high risk of conflict between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in the area.
Urgent safety recommendations to the FAA
According to the NTSB, the helicopter involved in the accident was flying along Helicopter Route 4, which has a maximum authorized altitude of 200 feet. However, the collision occurred at nearly 300 feet, placing the helicopter directly in the path of arriving and departing aircraft. The board also cited shortcomings in the Army’s safety culture and concluded that the helicopter crew failed to adequately see and avoid the passenger jet.
Air traffic control procedures were also scrutinized. The NTSB found that the controller on duty should have issued a safety alert, which could have prompted evasive action. In addition, investigators highlighted that a key safety technology, ADS-B In and Out, could have provided collision warnings to both crews up to a minute before impact, but is not currently mandated for all military aircraft.
As a result of the investigation, the NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations to the FAA, including an immediate prohibition on helicopter operations along Route 4 when certain runways at Reagan National are in use, and the designation of an alternative route to maintain helicopter connectivity while reducing risk.
Reuters reported that the FAA has acknowledged the seriousness of the findings and said it has already taken steps to reduce risk, including lowering the airport’s hourly arrival rate and restricting helicopter traffic in surrounding airspace. The agency said it would formally review the NTSB’s recommendations. The U.S. Justice Department previously admitted federal liability for the accident, citing the actions of both the Army helicopter and FAA air traffic control.
The NTSB also revealed that since 2021 there had been more than 15,000 air separation incidents near Reagan National involving helicopters and commercial aircraft, including at least 85 close-call events.
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