WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) – the chair and ranking member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation – called on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following the mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and a United States Army H-60 Blackhawk on the night of January 29, 2025.“We write to you to request the Federal Aviation Administration continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport until the completion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report and a briefing by FAA to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, regarding the safety of resuming non-essential helicopter operations,” the senators wrote. “Until investigators complete this work, restricting helicopter operations, while allowing for essential medical support, active law enforcement, active air defense, and presidential transport traffic will help keep the area safe and improve public trust in commercial air travel.”
The full letter can be found here and below.
Dear Acting Administrator Rocheleau,
We write to you to request the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport until the completion of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report and a briefing by FAA to the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation (Subcommittee) regarding the safety of resuming non-essential helicopter operations. Until investigators complete this work, restricting helicopter operations, while allowing for essential medical support, active law enforcement, active air defense, and presidential transport traffic will help keep the area safe and improve public trust in commercial air travel.
The mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas, and a United States Army H-60 Blackhawk on the night of January 29, 2025, is a tragic event which requires a thorough evaluation of air traffic in the vicinity of airport. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, we intend to conduct a subcommittee review into the January 29th tragedy by examining the facts and expert findings to determine whether policy changes may be necessary to increase safety and improve public trust. We look forward to your cooperation as we conduct our review to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
We are grateful for our first responders, military and civilian men and women who have contributed to the response efforts and for your actions in response to this tragic event.
