The Army has halted all helicopter training flights near the Pentagon following an incident last Thursday that disrupted two commercial flights. A senior spokesperson confirmed the suspension on Monday, stating that an investigation was underway after an Army helicopter bypassed two flights during a training mission, and was instructed to circle the Pentagon before landing.
At around 2:30 PM that day, Air Traffic Control directed both a Delta Airlines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airlines E170 to perform a “go-around” at Reagan National Airport (DCA), to accommodate the Army helicopter inbound to the Pentagon’s heliport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA characterized the Black Hawk as a priority air transport helicopter. A report indicated that instead of directly approaching the helipad, the helicopter was told to take a longer route around the Pentagon, which was detailed in an email from Chris Sen, the assistant manager of government and industrial affairs at the FAA.
However, there seems to be some confusion, as Army officials indicated the helicopters were not following the same route as previously suggested. Statements from the FAA led to misconceptions about the helicopters opting for “scenic routes.” Maria Cantwell, a ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, noted that the Black Hawk helicopter was from the same Brigade involved in a fatal collision on January 29 over the Potomac River.
Despite claims that the helicopters had set flight parameters with the FAA before landing at the Pentagon, defense officials expressed frustration over how the situation was managed. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated disappointment regarding the lack of adherence to established regulations, particularly after the January incident which resulted in 67 fatalities.
Duffy emphasized the need for safety, calling for the cessation of unnecessary helicopter operations in civilian airspace. Some military sources expressed concern over his remarks, suggesting he should have communicated with the Pentagon prior to posting online.
Last month, the FAA increased staffing and monitoring at DCA’s Air Traffic Control, and has established permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around the airport. This means mixed traffic of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will be limited. The new guidelines raise questions about how the recent incident occurred, especially given the busy air traffic characterized by the DCA’s major runways.
