Planes were directed to make a circuitous route due to the presence of a military helicopter near Reagan Airport.

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Three months after a mid-air collision that took the lives of 67 individuals, another helibourgeoisie approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport led to two commercial flights executing "go-arounds," as per official reports. The incident has stirred fresh concerns over safety and adherence to aviation rules in the congested airspace around the Virginia-based airport.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has demanded explanations from the Pentagon regarding the Army Black Hawk helicopter's flight path that disrupted the landing of Delta Air Lines and Republic Airways planes. In a scathing post, Duffy expressed his dismay, referring to the airport by its Federal Aviation Administration location identifier, X. No casualties were reported during the incident, which transpired around 2:30 p.m.

Capt. Victoria Goldfedib, U.S. Army spokesperson, revealed that the Black Hawk helicopter was conducting practice sessions for the Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan, adhering to published FAA flight routes and air traffic control at the Pentagon. It was the Pentagon Air Traffic Control that instructed the helicopter to perform a go-around, prompting the commercial flights to do the same to avoid conflicts.

An investigation is underway, and the United States Army reaffirmed its commitment to aviation safety and operating within all approved guidelines. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are also investigating the incident.

The helicopter incidentally carried no passengers, but it had two pilots and a crew chief aboard. Descending below 200 feet, the helicopter rehearsed its approach as part of return-to-flight training operations. Regularly, helicopters are prohibited from flying above 200 feet near Reagan, according to FAA regulations.

In January, an American Eagle commercial plane and a Black Hawk helicopter collided in mid-air over the Potomac River, resulting in the deaths of 64 jet passengers and three helicopter occupants. The lamentable accident sparked questions about the precarious airspace around Ronald Reagan National Airport, emphasizing the need to reevaluate safety measures in the area.

Investigators disclosed that the helicopter involved in the mid-air collision may have exceeded the 200-foot ceiling, a fact shared by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy in February. The NTSB has advocated for stringent helicopter traffic restrictions near the airport, asserting an "intolerable risk to aviation safety."

Incidents such as this one underscore the importance of adhering to regulations and maintaining safety in congested airspace like that around Ronald Reagan National Airport.

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Stricter Regulations and Guidelines: The aftermath of the mid-air collision in 2025 led to tighter FAA regulations around Reagan Airport, including the permanent prohibition of non-essential helicopter operations and changes to approved flight paths for certain routes and aircraft[3][5].
Helicopter Routes Review: The FAA is inspecting all helicopter routes to ensure safety and compliance with established agreements[4].
Post-Incident Investigations: Both the FAA and the NTSB are working diligently to investigate these incidents, probe any rule violations, and advocate for additional safety measures[1][4].

The latest helicopter incident near Ronald Reagan National Airport, which required two commercial flights to perform go-arounds, has once again brought to light concerns about safety and adherence to aviation rules in congested airspace.
General-news outlets are discussing the Army Black Hawk helicopter's flight path, which transportation secretary Sean Duffy stated disrupted the landing of Delta Air Lines and Republic Airways planes, with calls for the Pentagon to provide explanations.
Sports broadcasters are also focusing on the accidents involving helicopters, as they highlight the need for stricter regulations, particularly regarding helicopter traffic and flight paths around Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Crime and justice reporters are investigating the incidents involving helicopters, assessing whether there have been any rule violations and advocating for additional safety measures to prevent future accidents.