Army Halts Helicopter Flights Near Pentagon After Recent Incident
The FAA has informed Congress that it is examining the Army helicopter’s flight path in relation to a ‘loss of separation’ incident to ascertain if there was a breach of any agreement.
The Army has halted helicopter operations in and around the Pentagon following an incident last week where a military helicopter flew dangerously close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), leading to air traffic control aborting the landings of two commercial flights.
The suspension, effective from May 5, will impact helicopter activities from the 12th Aviation Battalion and was confirmed to The Epoch Times by a Department of Defense official on Monday.
This battalion is responsible for evacuating high-ranking political figures during emergencies.
Earlier in January, one of its Black Hawk helicopters was involved in a tragic midair collision with a commercial jet near the same airport, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft.
In a statement to NTD News, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the occurrence and announced an investigation in collaboration with the National Transportation Safety Board.
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“Our helicopter restrictions around DCA are very clear. I will be addressing this with the Department of Defense to understand why our regulations were ignored.”
In reference to January’s tragic midair collision near Reagan National Airport, Duffy emphasized the necessity of enforcing safety protocols rigorously.
“Safety must ALWAYS take precedence,” he stated. “We just lost 67 lives! No more helicopter flights for VIPs or unnecessary training in congested DCA airspace filled with civilians. Opt for a taxi or Uber—most VIPs have black car service anyway.”
The incident also drew bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who are investigating the January midair collision, along with other near-misses at one of the busiest airports in the nation.
“I believe it’s time for the FAA to take immediate action and regain control over the national airspace to prevent the Army from operating its air taxis for military officials near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,” Cruz added.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the Commerce Committee, voiced disappointment that the same Army brigade was again operating a helicopter too close to Reagan National Airport merely months after the January fatal midair collision.
“It’s outrageous that only three months after a tragic collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet, this brigade once again operated a helicopter too close to passenger aircraft during their final approach at the airport.”
“This comes shortly after this brigade resumed flights in the National Capital Region. It is time for Secretary [Pete] Hegseth and the FAA to prioritize the security and safety of our airspace as it deserves,” she declared in her statement.
In March, the FAA permanently closed one crucial route and prohibited the use of two smaller runways at the airport whenever helicopters are engaged in urgent missions or operate in the vicinity.
The FAA has yet to respond to a request for comments concerning the Army’s decision on Monday to suspend helicopter operations in, out of, and around the Pentagon.
Rudy Blalock and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
