Frequent helicopter alerts before D.C. crash, according to FAA data
In the year before the tragic midair collision at Washington's Reagan National Airport in January, CBS News analysis of recently released Federal Aviation Administration data found that helicopters were frequently flying higher than allowed or dangerously close to landing and departing airplanes. The analysis revealed that helicopters were within 500 feet of airplanes landing or taking off from the airport's runways 99 times in 2024, averaging nearly twice per week. Encounters within 1,000 feet happened multiple times per day. The Army Black Hawk involved in the collision followed the same routes, highlighting the concerning proximity between helicopters and airplanes. NTSB officials noted that the airspace was already confined, with only 75 feet of separation between helicopters and landing airplanes. FAA data also showed that one out of every 10 helicopters in that area were flying above the permitted altitude limit. The FAA and NTSB are examining the data to improve safety measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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