NTSB Faults Army, FAA in Deadly D.C. Collision

NTSB hearings into the January midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, which killed 67 people, have revealed that understaffed and overburdened air traffic control, financial pressures from tightly scheduled airline operations, and critical equipment failures all contributed to the tragedy. Investigators found the Army Black Hawk helicopter was flying above its assigned altitude due to possibly faulty altimeter readings, while both Army and FAA had ignored years of warnings about the dangers of crowded airspace and helicopter traffic. Air traffic controllers, coping with chronic staffing shortages, often relied on visual separation and improvisation, creating a precarious safety culture. The NTSB criticized both the Army and FAA for failing to take responsibility or implement necessary safety changes, despite repeated near-miss incidents. Testimony underscored the difficulty of maintaining safety in such a constrained environment. As the investigation continues, families of victims and aviation experts are urging comprehensive reforms to improve airspace safety.