NTSB Recommends Helicopter Flight Ban Near DC Airport After Collision

Following a tragic mid-air collision on January 29, which killed 67 people, including 28 from the figure skating community, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recommended a ban on certain helicopter flights near Ronald Reagan National Airport to enhance safety. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized that the current separation distance of just 75 feet between helicopters and planes poses an 'intolerable risk' to aviation safety. The board has urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a permanent closure of specific helicopter routes during peak runway usage to prevent future incidents. Investigators are examining factors such as the helicopter's altitude readings and potential communication errors with air traffic controllers that may have contributed to the crash. Since the incident, the FAA has temporarily restricted helicopter flights in the area, and further analysis is ongoing to fully determine the causes of the collision. This incident represents the deadliest U.S. passenger jet crash in over two decades, highlighting significant safety concerns in one of the nation's busiest air corridors.