FAA Investigates Flight Disruptions as Army Helicopter Diverts Traffic at Reagan National

Two commercial flights at Reagan Washington National Airport were forced to abort landings after a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter en route to the Pentagon entered the airspace, prompting air traffic controllers to instruct go-arounds. The FAA has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred amid heightened safety concerns and newly imposed restrictions on helicopter operations near the airport following a deadly January collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet. The Army helicopter allegedly deviated from its direct route, raising questions about potential violations of flight approvals and loss of minimum separation standards. Controllers also experienced issues tracking the helicopter's real-time position on radar. The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating, as recent years have seen a rise in near-miss incidents between helicopters and planes in the area. Airline industry groups are urging the FAA to further limit helicopter traffic to improve safety.