FAA imposes restrictions on helicopter flights near Reagan National

7/2/2025 6:23

A key safety system was

turned off on a U.S. Army helicopter that collided with an

American Airlines regional jet last week near Washington

Reagan Airport, killing 67.



Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz told reporters the

Black Hawk helicopter had turned off its automatic dependent

surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B), which is permitted for military

aircraft.

"This was a training mission, so there was no compelling

national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off," Cruz said

after a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board

and Federal Aviation Administration.



In



the deadliest U.S. air disaster



in more than 20 years, the aircraft collided last week,

with both aircraft plunging into the Potomac River. The

helicopter was flying about 100 feet over the maximum allowed

for that route, the NTSB said earlier.



ADS-B is an advanced surveillance technology to track

aircraft location. Cruz noted the helicopter had a transponder

so it would appear on radar but ADS-B is significantly more

accurate.

Last week, Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the

committee, questioned why the FAA since 2018 has allowed

military flights to fly with their installed ADS-B equipment

off.



Cruz also said he had asked the FAA to conduct a review of

helicopter routes near other congested airports.

In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA has imposed significant

restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National until

at least late February and two of the lesser-used runways remain

closed. When police, medical or presidential transportation

helicopters must use the airspace, civilian planes are not

allowed to be in the same area, according to an FAA advisory.



U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy



also questioned some nonessential military helicopter

trips. "If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for

convenience through this airspace, that's not acceptable. Get a

damn Suburban and drive - you don't need to take a helicopter,"

Duffy said.