"US Agencies Investigate Army Helicopter's 'Scenic Route' After Two Aborted Passenger Landings in Washington, Say 'No More VIP Helicopter Rides'”

WASHINGTON, May 3 — Federal investigators have launched an inquiry after two flights were forced to abort their landings at Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday due to the presence of a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, which was too close and heading towards the Pentagon.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated on Friday that air traffic control instructed Delta Air Lines Flight 1671, an Airbus A319 from Orlando, and Republic Airways Flight 5825, an Embraer 170 from Boston, to perform go-arounds at around 2:30 pm because of the military helicopter’s proximity.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating the incident.

This comes after a deadly mid-air collision on January 29 between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk, which resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Following the tragedy, the FAA imposed permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around Reagan National Airport.

The FAA informed Congress that it is reviewing the helicopter’s flight path during the two "loss of separation" incidents on Thursday, as well as whether the route violated an agreement with the Army.

According to a memo seen by Reuters, “It appears the Black Hawk operation did not proceed directly to the Pentagon Heliport. Instead, it took a scenic route around the Pentagon rather than proceeding directly from the west to the heliport.”

Senator Ted Cruz, Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, criticized the Army, saying, "The Army is once again putting the traveling public at risk... It’s time for the FAA to act swiftly and assert control over the national airspace so the Army stops running air taxis for military officials near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also condemned the Army’s actions, stating, “No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians. Take a taxi or Uber — most VIPs have black car service anyway.”

Delta Airlines confirmed that Flight 1671 had five crew members and 97 passengers aboard. "Nothing is more important at Delta than the safety of our customers and people. We’ll cooperate with the FAA as they investigate," the airline said.

The Pentagon has not commented yet. A source involved in the investigation stated that the helicopter was engaged in an emergency evacuation rehearsal.

Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, called the incident outrageous, saying, "It is outrageous that only three months after an Army Black Hawk helicopter tragically collided with a passenger jet, the same Army brigade again flew a helicopter too close to passenger jets on final approach at (Reagan Washington)."

"This comes less than a week after this brigade resumed flights in the National Capital Region. It is far past time for Secretary Hegseth and the FAA to give our airspace the security and safety attention it deserves," she added, referring to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Republic Airways has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., Reagan National Airport is a busy hub for lawmakers, tourists, and local residents, making it particularly sensitive to aviation safety concerns.

In March, the FAA permanently closed one key route and banned the use of two smaller runways at the airport when helicopters are conducting urgent missions nearby.

Since 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recorded 85 incidents involving dangerous near-misses between helicopters and planes, defined as cases where lateral separation was less than 1,500 feet and vertical separation was less than 200 feet.

Recent safety incidents, including a March 28 near-miss between a Delta flight and Air Force jets, have raised significant concerns. Airlines for America, a group representing major US carriers, has urged the FAA to further limit helicopter traffic around the airport, suggesting exceptions only for essential military or medical emergencies.

The Army has also faced criticism for routinely deactivating a key safety system, ADS-B, during training flights in the Washington area.

The FAA is currently investigating helicopter operations near other major airports and recently announced safety measures for Las Vegas. — Reuters