The critical communication line between Reagan National Airport (DCA) and the Pentagon has been down since March 2022, as confirmed by officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday.
During a hearing with the Senate Commerce Committee, FAA representative Franklin McIntosh stated that the hotline issue had been ongoing since March 2022, and the FAA had not been informed of its suspension. This revelation follows the recent resumption of flights by Army units based in Virginia after a helicopter crash on January 29 that resulted in 67 fatalities.
Aviation officials became aware of the problem only when a DCA air traffic controller had to redirect two flights due to an Army helicopter’s approach. The situation has raised fresh concerns regarding how well the military and the FAA coordinate in the busy airspace over the nation’s capital. Officials indicated that the FAA might consider suspending its flight agreements with the military.
During his testimony, McIntosh stressed the urgent need to restore the communication line between the Pentagon and air traffic control, stating, “We insist on revising that line before we resume operations from the Pentagon.”
The U.S. Army briefly halted helicopter flights near DCA on May 2 after two commercial planes were forced to abort landings due to incoming Army Blackhawks. This incident involved a Delta A319 and a Republic Airway E170, which both needed to perform go-arounds. Even though go-arounds are not unusual, the FAA categorized this as “loss of separation,” a significant violation of federal aviation safety regulations.
This close call has triggered an investigation by both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, leading to the Army pausing helicopter flights in certain areas while the issues are reviewed. Unlike the helicopters involved in the January incident, the Blackhawk was transmitting ADS-B data, but it temporarily vanished from the radar due to a glitch, which delayed the controller’s response. The tower is now fully staffed and is investigating possible violations of flight protocols by the FAA and NTSB.
In the three years prior to the January crash, the NTSB had noted 85 near misses at DCA, underscoring ongoing failures to address potential hazards in the FAA system.
In light of these developments, the FAA has temporarily prohibited mixed traffic of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft on the Potomac River near the airport, although the new guidelines allow limited access for emergency helicopters, provided they maintain distance from civilian aircraft in the area.
For years, pilots have raised alarms about near misses at DCA, often choosing not to file reports through the Aviation Safety Reporting System. Many have recounted experiences of helicopters flying alarmingly close while they were landing, particularly on Runway 33, where American Airlines jets have previously encountered accidents.
A significant challenge is that military and commercial pilots utilize different radio systems, complicating communication. While some reports highlighted this issue as a factor in near misses, others pointed out that even shared frequencies can create misunderstandings with helicopter pilots. Numerous reports mentioned TCAS alerts, and a common theme has been heavy traffic at DCA coupled with pressure to expedite aircraft movements, contributing to the risks.
This trend reflects a broader concern about a government that has consistently overlooked critical warning signs, even as risks continue to escalate in one of the busiest airspaces in the country.
Last Thursday, Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy announced plans to modernize air traffic control, aiming to tackle safety challenges, minimize delays, and establish “state-of-the-art” systems suited for today’s complex airspace.
