U.S. Transportation Secretary to Reevaluate Air Traffic Control Rules After Deadly Collision

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced on Wednesday that he is reconsidering rules that allowed reduced staffing at Washington D.C.'s Reagan National Airport before the fatal Army helicopter-plane collision that claimed 67 lives last week. This tragic incident has raised significant questions regarding both air traffic control procedures and the use of military helicopters in the congested airspace near the airport.

During a speech in Washington, Duffy expressed concerns about the military's decision to fly helicopters near Reagan National Airport, calling into question the necessity of such flights. "If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that's not acceptable. Get a damn Suburban and drive - you don't need to take a helicopter," Duffy remarked, suggesting that military personnel should consider alternative means of transportation.

The Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the collision was on a training mission, and there are indications that the pilot may have been using night vision goggles at the time. Duffy also questioned the timing of the flight, stating, “We’re going to hopefully find this out, but if they had night vision goggles on a mission like that at nine o'clock at night and not at 1 a.m. - it is unacceptable.”

Additionally, he noted that the helicopter was flying at 300 feet—above the maximum 200 feet allowed for that route, highlighting the need for stricter airspace regulations. "We have to take a real look at the safety around this airspace… We can fly training missions at a different time of night,” he added.

Following the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed strict restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport, effective until at least late February. Duffy also revealed that, prior to the accident, two air traffic control positions had been consolidated for managing both helicopters and aircraft, a decision he now plans to reassess. "We're going to pull that authority back to make sure that we have the right policies in place inside our towers to make sure when you fly you're safe," Duffy stated.

The FAA is currently facing a staffing shortage of about 3,000 air traffic controllers, a situation Duffy addressed by outlining plans to ramp up training and recruitment efforts. "It's going to take us time to get more air traffic controllers," he said.

NOTE: As reported by the Associated Press on January 21st 2025, Trump fired heads of TSA, Coast Guard and gutted key aviation safety advisory committee just a day after his inauguration.

Duffy also highlighted the need for technological upgrades to the aging infrastructure used by the FAA. "We’re going to upgrade it and make sure that America has the most innovative, technologically advanced air system, air traffic control system that's going to make it safer," he concluded, emphasizing the critical need for modernization in U.S. aviation safety.

Duffy also mentioned that he had a conversation with Elon Musk seeking his advice.