Transport Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the Department of Defense after an Army Black Hawk helicopter nearly caused accidents with two commercial jets while taking a “scenic” flight around Washington, DC, aiming for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Around 2:30 PM on Thursday, the helicopter had a close call with both passenger planes.
According to an FAA incident report, air traffic controllers had to redirect Delta Line Flight 1671 and Republic Airlines Flight 5825 to circle back as the helicopter was preparing to land.
The Black Hawk opted for a roundabout route rather than flying directly to the heliport, as explained by Chris Sen, an FAA assistant manager focused on Government and Industrial Affairs.
Reportedly, as the helicopter approached, it got within 200 feet of the Republic aircraft and 400 feet of the Delta jet.
Sen noted that the helicopter’s exact position was not immediately trackable on radar, causing a delay in identifying it on screens used by air traffic controllers.
During this incident, the control tower had one supervisor alongside four certified controllers and another in training.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are now investigating, with Delta confirming its cooperation. Delta’s airliner had five flight crews and 97 passengers aboard.
Delta emphasized that customer safety is a priority and expressed intent to assist with the FAA’s probe.
In a statement following the near misses, the Army acknowledged that the Black Hawk, conducting training for the Pentagon, was instructed by the Pentagon’s air traffic control to execute a go-around as part of approved flight operations.
This incident was labeled as a “loss of separation,” indicating a breach of the safety distance required to avoid potential collisions in controlled airspace.
The Pentagon did not respond immediately when contacted for comment.
Duffy deemed the pilot’s actions “unacceptable,” stating that the helicopter restrictions in the area are clear. He mentioned a prior tragedy and urged that safety should come first, rather than unnecessary helicopter operations near civilian air traffic.
Legislators from both sides expressed alarm at the event. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz pointed out that it put travelers at risk and called for the FAA to enforce stricter airspace regulations to prevent military misuse. Senator Jerry Moran suggested revisiting operations to enhance safety in the DCA airspace.
Senator Maria Cantwell echoed these concerns, referencing a prior incident where a military Black Hawk collided with a commercial plane, resulting in numerous fatalities.
This event highlighted ongoing issues regarding air safety and the management of space around heavily trafficked airports.
