Army Flights Curbed; FAA Restricts Helicopters Near D.C.

The US Army has suspended helicopter training flights by its 12th Aviation Battalion near the Pentagon and Reagan National Airport after a recent incident in which two commercial airliners aborted landings to avoid a Black Hawk helicopter. This action follows a deadly January collision between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet that killed 67 people. In response to the latest incident, the Federal Aviation Administration has imposed permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter flights and closed certain helicopter routes near Reagan National. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sharply rebuked the Army's handling of the flight. Bipartisan criticism and calls for stricter safety measures and legislative action have intensified. The Army maintains it was following approved procedures and is committed to aviation safety as the investigation continues.