"Since the collision on January 29, 2025, between an American Airlines flight from Wichita and a military helicopter on a training ride, military pilots have had to broadcast their precise GPS-based location data to other aircraft and to air traffic control, something they frequently skipped before the crash. The FAA has also barred all but the most essential helicopter traffic along the Potomac near the airport."
"In the tower, helicopter and jet traffic are now always handled by two separate controllers-on the night of the crash, one of the controllers was handling both kinds of aircraft. And controllers no longer give pilots leeway to maintain their own "visual separation" from others within five miles of the airport. The FAA also says it has increased oversight and staffing at DCA."
A midair collision on January 29, 2025, prompted immediate and now-permanent operational changes at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Military helicopters must broadcast precise GPS-based location data and nonessential helicopter traffic along the Potomac is barred. Tower operations separate helicopter and jet traffic between two controllers, and controllers no longer allow pilot-maintained "visual separation" within five miles of the airport. The FAA reports increased oversight and staffing at DCA. The NTSB remains unsatisfied and voted more than 40 recommendations including enhanced controller training, 30-minute departure and arrival windows, collision-warning improvements, and elevating the tower's facility ranking.
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