Army Black Hawk Spurs DC Airport Go-Arounds

Two commercial flights, Delta Air Lines Flight 1671 and Republic Airways Flight 5825, aborted landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport due to the close proximity of a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter en route to the Pentagon. The helicopter reportedly took an indirect route, prompting questions about compliance with new airspace agreements established after a deadly January collision that killed 67 people. The incident triggered investigations by the FAA and NTSB, with officials such as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Senator Maria Cantwell demanding further review of helicopter operations and safety protocols. The Army unit involved had resumed flights in the area only a week before the event, intensifying scrutiny of military flight practices. Despite the disruption, both commercial planes landed safely. The episode underscores ongoing challenges in managing military and civilian air traffic near Washington, D.C.