Lawmakers Push Major Aviation Safety Reforms After Crash

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun public hearings and will release extensive evidence on the January midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people. Investigators found that the Army routinely flies helicopters with ADS-B transmitters turned off and cited a history of near-misses at Reagan National Airport. In response, Senators Ted Cruz, Jerry Moran, and others introduced the ROTOR Act, which would require all aircraft in controlled airspace, including military flights, to use ADS-B technology and close military loopholes. The bill also mandates policy reviews by the FAA and Army and aims to enhance oversight, equipment upgrades, and transparency. Families of victims and aviation experts are calling for broad reforms and increased accountability. The hearings and legislative efforts represent the most significant push for aviation safety reform since the crash.