On Thursday, two aircraft needed to perform a “go-around” procedure to avoid a potential collision with a military helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This incident comes on the heels of a tragic crash in January involving a commercial plane and a Black Hawk, which claimed 67 lives.
Around 2:30 PM, Air Traffic Control instructed Republic Airlines Flight 5825 to execute a go-around, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The Department of Defense acknowledged the incident in an email to Fox News Digital, stating it was “aware of the report.”
On January 30, 2025, the plane flies near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to the collision between the American Eagle Flight 5342 and the Black Hawk helicopter near the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia, USA. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
FAA’s Increased Air Traffic Control Staff, Ronald Reagan, Supervisor of Washington National Airport
This recent close call occurred just weeks after the FAA had ramped up staffing and oversight of the DCA air traffic control team following the January 29 collision over the Potomac River.
In March, the FAA announced it would place permanent restrictions on “non-essential” helicopter operations around the airport, effectively separating helicopter traffic from fixed-wing aircraft.
Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, January 30th, 2025. An American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas collided with a Black Hawk helicopter while approaching the airport to land in January. (Lee Green, Fox News Digital)
The Black Hawk Pilot did not take note of flight instructors prior to airplane collisions via DC: Report
Moreover, when a helicopter engaged in an emergency mission operates near DCA, it’s prohibited for both runways 15/33 and 4/22 to be used simultaneously.
It’s somewhat puzzling how this latest incident happened, given the new protocols in place.
On Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, the Air Traffic Control Tower at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
FAA “Permanently limits Washington helicopter traffic after a fatal air collision near DC airport
The FAA plans to continue monitoring current arrival rates at DCA each hour.
This airport is known to have one of the busiest runways in the United States, as highlighted by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
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The US military has yet to respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comments.
