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NTSB Makes DCA Recommendations After Deadly Crash Between Passenger Plane, Army Helicopter

Federal aviation officials are taking urgent action to prevent future midair collisions after a catastrophic crash between an American Airlines passenger jet and a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The flight tracks for American Airlines Flight 5342 (blue line) and radar data for US Army PAT25 (orange line).

The flight tracks for American Airlines Flight 5342 (blue line) and radar data for US Army PAT25 (orange line).

 Photo Credit: NTSB/Google Earth
Joe Lombardi
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued two urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Tuesday, March 11, in response to the accident, which killed all 67 people aboard both aircraft.

Collision Over DCA

The crash occurred around 8:48 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, when the American Flight 5342, a Bombardier CRJ700, was on final approach to runway 33 at DCA (Reagan National).

At the same time, a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, operated by the US Army as PAT25, was traveling along helicopter Route 4, a standard FAA-approved path following the Potomac River.

Despite multiple air traffic control communications between the DCA tower and the helicopter crew, the aircraft collided just southeast of the airport at an altitude of about 300 feet. Both crashed into the Potomac River, with no survivors among the passengers, pilots, or crew.

NTSB’s Urgent Safety Action

Following its preliminary investigation, the NTSB determined that the existing separation distances between aircraft using helicopter Route 4 and runway 33 traffic at DCA are insufficient and increase the risk of midair collisions.

To address the danger, the NTSB has recommended that the FAA immediately:
  • Prohibit helicopter operations on Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge whenever runway 33 is being used for landings or runway 15 for departures.
  • Establish an alternative helicopter route to ensure law enforcement, Coast Guard, and emergency response helicopters can continue operating in the area safely.

FAA data reviewed by the NTSB revealed that at least one collision warning per month has been triggered near DCA between 2011 and 2024 due to close encounters between commercial airplanes and helicopters.

The FAA has already issued temporary flight restrictions for helicopters over the Potomac near DCA through Monday, March 31, but the NTSB is calling for permanent action to prevent future tragedies.

Check back to Daily Voice for updates.

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