US EditionArmy pausing helicopter flights near Washington airport after close calls
- The Army paused helicopter flights near the Pentagon on May 2025 after several close calls with commercial jets near Washington National Airport.
- This pause followed a recent midair collision near DCA in January 2025 that killed 67 people and multiple flight proximity incidents involving the 12th Aviation Battalion.
- The Army and FAA are investigating these events while the Army continues training and VIP flights from Fort Belvoir, maintaining adherence to published flight routes.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the incidents unacceptable and said, "helicopter restrictions are crystal clear" while urging VIPs to avoid unnecessary helicopter rides.
- The suspension is pending an inquiry, and experts emphasize improved communication to overcome long-standing airspace issues near DCA to ensure aviation safety.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Army suspends helicopter flights near Reagan National after close calls
The U.S. Army will pause helicopter flights near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), The Associated Press reports, citing two anonymous Army sources familiar with the matter. The decision comes days after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) controllers had to force two commercial jets to abort landings due to an Army Black Hawk flying to the Pentagon. On Thursday, May 1, the Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion was operating a Black Haw…
Pentagon suspends military helicopter flight operations near DCA following near-misses
The Pentagon is suspending all of its helicopters from flying near Reagan National Airport. It comes after a recent safety incident where an Army helicopter caused two commercial flights to abort their landings.
Army Suspends Helicopter Flights Into, Around Pentagon Following Incident
The Army has suspended helicopter flights into and around the Pentagon after an incident last week involving a military helicopter flying close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that resulted in air traffic control aborting the landings of two commercial flights. The May 5 suspension, which will affect helicopter operations out of the 12th Aviation Battalion, was confirmed to The Epoch Times by a Department of Defense official o…
Army Pausing Helicopter Flights near Washington Airport After Close Calls
The commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion directed the unit to pause helicopter flight operations around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following Thursday’s close calls, two Army officials confirmed to The Associated Press.
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