The U.S. Army has suspended helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) following a May 1 incident where two commercial flights were forced to abort landings due to a Black Hawk helicopter’s proximity. The aircraft, operated by the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion, veered off its standard route, prompting air traffic controllers to issue emergency go-around commands to Delta Flight 1671 and Republic Airways Flight 5825.
This marks the second high-profile aviation incident near DCA in recent months. On January 29, a mid-air collision between an Army Black Hawk and a commercial jet resulted in 67 fatalities, triggering national outrage and a federal investigation. The latest near-miss has reignited concerns about military aircraft sharing congested civilian airspace.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched formal investigations into the May 1 breach. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply criticized the Army, stating the lapse reflects “a dangerous disregard for civilian airspace safety.” Senator Ted Cruz also weighed in, calling for accountability and greater transparency in military flight coordination.
Army officials confirmed the temporary grounding of the 12th Aviation Battalion, citing a precautionary review of training and operational procedures. Additional airspace restrictions have also been put in place by the FAA to ensure flight safety around DCA, one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Critics argue that continued military use of the restricted zone near the Pentagon, adjacent to DCA’s flight path, presents ongoing risk to commercial aviation. Lawmakers are now pushing for legislative oversight to limit military flight privileges in civilian corridors unless explicitly authorized and monitored.
