An investigation is set to explore the circumstances surrounding the collision of an Army Black Hawk helicopter with an American Airlines flight on January 29, which resulted in the deaths of all individuals aboard both aircraft.
On Wednesday, Sean Duffy, the secretary of transportation, expressed support for an audit of air safety protocols in the Washington, D.C. area, following a fatal incident involving a commercial flight and a military helicopter. Officials informed senators that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Army are expected to sign a policy agreement aimed at preventing similar accidents in the future.
Duffy's commitment to support the audit follows a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which urged the inspectors general of the Department of Transportation and the Army to review their safety measures. They are tasked with investigating whether modifications could have averted the collision of the Army Black Hawk helicopter with American Airlines Flight 5342 as it approached Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as well as addressing a series of near misses in the region.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has already initiated an investigation into the January 29 crash. During a closed-door meeting with NTSB, FAA, and Army officials, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy informed senators that the investigation is projected to conclude by January 29, 2026, as reported by Senator Jerry Moran, the Republican chairman of the aviation subcommittee.
In the interim, the FAA and the Army are working towards finalizing a memorandum of understanding to enhance coordination of air operations. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau indicated that they are nearing an agreement.
Following the crash, the FAA has restricted the flight route utilized by the Army Black Hawk on January 29 to military traffic only, while the Army has limited VIP flights—previously accessible to generals of at least a three-star rank—to a select few senior officials. Currently, such flights are available only to the Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretary, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his deputy, with only three such flights occurring since the incident.
The FAA has mandated that all aircraft maintain advanced tracking systems during operations in the vicinity of Washington, D.C., and its airports. Reports indicate that the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the January 29 incident did not have this equipment activated at the time of the flight.
However, Senator Moran noted that Army officials informed senators that recent tests revealed that the automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast equipment (ADS-B) on many military aircraft was not functioning properly, even when activated. The Army is also investigating enhancements to the altimeters on its aircraft and plans to replace outdated equipment.
Moran emphasized that the Army's safety protocols are not as rigorous as those for commercial aircraft, highlighting the need for improved technology in military aviation.