Aborted landings due to Army helicopter near Reagan airport 'unacceptable,' top official says
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy condemned the incident where two commercial aircraft had to abort their landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying to the Pentagon, labeling it as 'unacceptable'. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have launched investigations, while Duffy plans to discuss the breach of regulations with the Department of Defense. The aborted landings involved a Delta Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170, both instructed to perform go-arounds. The incident has sparked calls for greater safety measures in Washington's congested airspace, especially following a deadly collision in January involving another Army helicopter. Delta Air Lines emphasized their commitment to safety and cooperation in the ongoing investigation, while Republic Airways has yet to comment.
Two commercial aircraft were forced to abort landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport because an Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying to the Pentagon, a situation deemed 'unacceptable' by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident, and Duffy intends to address the violation of airspace rules with the Department of Defense to prevent future occurrences.
The aircraft involved were a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170, both of which were directed by air traffic control to perform go-arounds due to the helicopter's presence.
The incident has reignited concerns about the safety of Washington's airspace, following a prior deadly midair collision in January involving an Army helicopter that resulted in 67 fatalities.
Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the FAA to prioritize the security and safety of national airspace, highlighting the need for stringent oversight.
Delta Air Lines has expressed its dedication to ensuring passenger safety and its willingness to assist authorities in the investigation, while a response from Republic Airways is still awaited.
Duffy criticized the practice of using helicopters for VIP transport in the congested airspace, suggesting alternatives like taxis or car services to minimize risks to civilian flights.