NTSB Preliminary Report Highlights Factors Contributing to Potomac River Mid-Air Collision: Urgent Safety Recommendations Issued
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary findings on Tuesday regarding the tragic mid-air collision on January 29th between an American Airlines regional jet operated by PSA Airlines and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River. The report, unveiled during a press briefing, points to potential issues with unreliable data recording, communication breakdowns with Air Traffic Control (ATC), and the inherent risks of operating in the notoriously congested airspace surrounding Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The preliminary investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of near-mid-air collisions (NMACs) involving helicopters and commercial jets in the DCA airspace. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the data, gleaned from a voluntary safety reporting system, revealed that TCAS (Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System) alerts involving helicopters and commercial jets occur nearly monthly at DCA. Furthermore, between 2021 and 2024, over 15,000 instances of commercial jets and helicopters flying dangerously close were recorded, defined as less than 1 nautical mile of lateral separation or 400 feet of vertical separation. Alarmingly, 85 of these incidents involved separation distances of less than 1,500 feet laterally and 200 feet vertically.
Homendy expressed concern that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had not proactively addressed this known safety risk. "The data we have pulled is from a voluntary safety reporting system that FAA could have used any time… to determine that we have a trend here and a problem here, and looked at that route," she said. "That didn’t occur, which is why we’re taking action today. But unfortunately, people lost lives and loved ones are grieving."
The NTSB’s preliminary findings indicate that the Army helicopter was operating on Helicopter Route 1, which has a 200-foot maximum altitude restriction near DCA. Investigators discovered inconsistent altitude readings from the helicopter, suggesting a possible instrument error that may have led to the helicopter exceeding its designated altitude. This finding is particularly significant, as at least half of previous near-misses at DCA involved helicopters exceeding their assigned route altitudes.
Adding to the complexity, the investigation suggests a potential communication breakdown between ATC and the helicopter crew. While air traffic control cleared the PSA Airlines flight for landing on Runway 33, it also approved the helicopter’s request to maintain visual separation, leading to the collision. The helicopter crew may not have received a critical ATC instruction to "pass behind" the PSA flight, potentially due to radio interference. The PSA flight received a TCAS warning seconds before impact, but it was tragically too late to avoid the collision.
Crucially, both aircraft had functioning lights and transponders before the impact, suggesting that visibility was not a primary factor in the accident. The PSA jet’s TCAS system was operational, but TCAS resolution advisories, which recommend escape maneuvers, are automatically inhibited below 900 feet during landing, a standard safety protocol designed to prevent abrupt maneuvers close to the ground.
Despite these safety mechanisms, the inconsistent altitude readings from the helicopter continue to be a major focus of the investigation, raising concerns about whether instrument errors played a significant role in the chain of events leading to the collision.
In response to the preliminary findings, the NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations to the FAA, emphasizing the insufficient separation distances between Helicopter Route 4 and aircraft landing on Runway 33 as a critical safety hazard. The NTSB is calling for the immediate prohibition of helicopter operations on Route 4 between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge whenever Runway 33 is in use for landings or Runway 15 is used for departures, stating it presents an "intolerable risk to aviation safety" due to the close proximity.
To maintain essential services like law enforcement and government operations, the NTSB also urged the FAA to designate an alternative helicopter route that would reduce the likelihood of future mid-air collisions.
The investigation is ongoing, and the final report, including official recommendations, may take months, or even over a year, to complete. The NTSB is continuing to analyze flight data recorders, air traffic control procedures, and airspace management at DCA. Further review of helicopter altitude discrepancies and air traffic control communication gaps will be crucial in determining the definitive causes of the accident.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded swiftly to the NTSB’s briefing, accepting both safety recommendations, including a permanent restriction on nonessential helicopter operations around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and eliminating mixed helicopter and fixed-wing traffic in the most critical zones.
Despite the tragedy and the highlighted safety concerns, NTSB Chair Homendy emphasized the overall safety of air travel. "Aviation is incredibly safe," she stated. "DCA is where I always fly out of. I say often that your biggest risk is in your personal vehicle when you’re going to and from the aircraft at the airport. However, there are safety issues and areas where we need to improve to make sure that we are at zero, and so that is the role of the NTSB."
The accident has also reignited a long-standing debate about the risks of mixed-use airspace. Many industry advocates, including Airlines for America, the leading trade group for U.S. airlines, have long pushed for tighter restrictions on helicopter flights near airports, particularly in the densely populated airspace around DCA.
This tragic incident underscores the dangers of military helicopters sharing corridors with commercial jets. Travelers may anticipate changes in approach paths and air traffic control procedures at DCA and other major airports with similar mixed airspace conditions as authorities work to implement the NTSB’s recommendations and enhance safety.
Authorities confirmed the recovery of all 67 victims from the plane and helicopter crash. They have identified 66 bodies as crews worked tirelessly to remove wreckage from the Potomac River. USA TODAY has been in contact with family members as they identified their loved ones lost in the crash. The investigation continues to unfold, promising a meticulous examination of the contributing factors and a renewed focus on improving aviation safety in complex airspace environments.
