Families of 67 victims killed in a Reagan National Airport crash are demanding accountability after a damning NTSB report revealed 15,000 near misses were logged but ignored before the deadly collision.
Quick Takes
- The FAA is facing intense scrutiny after a report showed 15,000 near misses occurred at Reagan National Airport over three years prior to the fatal January crash.
- Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau admitted to the Senate that “something was missed” that could have prevented the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Blackhawk helicopter.
- Family members have filed pre-case claims against the federal government for up to $250 million, citing inexcusable lapses in aviation safety protocols.
- The FAA has pledged to hire 2,000 more air traffic controllers and is now using AI technology to analyze airspace data for potential collision risks.
- Senators demanded the release of an Army memo regarding ADS-B Out operations that may explain why helicopter tracking systems were turned off.
Preventable Tragedy Leaves 67 Dead
The January 29 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 (a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700) and a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter over the Potomac River claimed 67 lives and has sparked outrage among victim families. During a recent Senate Aviation Subcommittee hearing, NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy revealed disturbing statistics that suggest this tragedy could have been averted. The crash occurred during a routine commercial flight and an Army helicopter training exercise, with all passengers and crew members perishing in the impact and subsequent crash into the Potomac.
Dailey Crafton, who lost his brother in the catastrophe, expressed disbelief at the safety failures. “I was surprised at the lapses of safety protocols that led to this crash,” Crafton stated. “Specifically, even since the crash, certain safety measures that could have been simply implemented still have not been. Accountability is still not being taken by parties who should be held responsible.”
The crash has highlighted critical shortcomings in aviation safety protocols, particularly regarding the monitoring of aircraft proximity events and communication between military and civilian aviation operations. Even more concerning to families is the apparent lack of immediate corrective action. The NTSB hopes to complete its full investigation within a year, though recovery teams are still retrieving wreckage from the Potomac River.
Grilled by US Senate over several air accidents involving United States airlines, Federal Aviation Authority said it would ramp up surveillance by hiring 2,000 trainees in 2025 for Air Traffic Control. #IO @FAANews @SenatePress https://t.co/BGH6ejJJGl
— INDIA OUTBOUND MAGAZINE (@indiaoutbound) March 28, 2025
FAA Admits Failures After Shocking NTSB Report
The most damning revelation came from an NTSB report discussed during the Senate hearing: over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial aircraft and helicopters occurred at Reagan National Airport from October 2021 through December 2024. This information was available to the FAA long before the fatal crash but wasn’t properly analyzed or addressed. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau admitted responsibility for the oversight failure, facing harsh criticism from senators and family members alike.
“Something was missed at the DCA crash. I take that seriously. I take that on myself,” said Rocheleau.
In response to the crisis, the FAA announced several corrective measures: implementing new regulations requiring most aircraft around Reagan and downtown D.C. to use ADS-B Out technology for better tracking, deploying AI and machine learning systems to analyze airspace data, and plans to hire 2,000 additional air traffic controllers with a priority on safety. The Department of Transportation has also agreed to follow the NTSB’s recommendations for helicopter operations near Reagan Airport.
Army Under Fire for Helicopter Tracking Issues
A key focus of the investigation involves why Army helicopters had stopped transmitting ADS-B Out data, which would have made them visible to air traffic control and collision avoidance systems. Senator Ted Cruz pressed Brigadier General Matthew Braman for access to an August 2024 policy memo entitled “ADS-B Out Off Operations in the National Airspace,” which the Army had declined to provide. Cruz threatened further action if the document wasn’t released, suggesting it might contain critical information about the decision to operate helicopters without proper tracking technology.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the hearing revealed that false collision alarms had been caused by improper testing of counter-drone technology by the Secret Service and Navy. The NTSB is also investigating the Army’s helicopter fleet for potential equipment malfunctions. These revelations have deepened concerns about coordination between military and civilian aviation operations in sensitive airspace near the nation’s capital.
Families Seek Justice Through Legal Action
Clifford Law Offices, representing many of the victims’ families, has filed pre-case claims against the federal government for up to $250 million. Attorney Robert A. Clifford criticized both FAA and Army officials for inadequate responses and plans to file formal complaints after the mandatory waiting period. Tracy Brammeier, another attorney representing victims’ families, emphasized that all entities who failed to take action must be held accountable to both the victims’ families and the flying public.
