Senator Urges Pentagon to Adopt Critical Safety Tech for DC Helicopter Flights

Call for Enhanced Aviation Safety Measures in Capital Region / Reuters

A prominent US senator is pressing the Pentagon to implement a vital aircraft safety system for military helicopter operations around the Washington, DC, area following a tragic accident that exposed significant risks in the region’s busy airspace. Senator Maria Cantwell, a leading Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee overseeing aviation policies, has challenged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to explain why the military continues to bypass the use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology during routine helicopter flights near the nation’s capital. This push comes after a devastating midair collision in January 2025 between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Reagan National Airport, which claimed 67 lives and reignited debates over military aviation safety protocols. Cantwell’s letter, sent on March 7, 2025, underscores growing concerns about the Pentagon’s broad application of an FAA exemption that allows military aircraft to disable ADS-B, a sophisticated tracking system mandatory for civilian planes but optional for sensitive military missions. The senator argues that the exemption’s overuse, particularly for non-critical operations like training flights, jeopardizes public safety in one of the country’s most congested airspaces.

The January 2025 crash, the deadliest US aviation disaster in over two decades, involved a Black Hawk helicopter on a training mission that was not broadcasting ADS-B signals, colliding with American Eagle Flight 5342 as it approached Reagan National Airport. The absence of ADS-B, which provides real-time aircraft position data to air traffic controllers and nearby planes, has been flagged as a key factor in the incident, prompting scrutiny of the military’s safety practices. Cantwell emphasized that the Pentagon operates thousands of helicopter flights annually in the National Capital Region, with estimates suggesting around 11,000 flights within 30 miles of Reagan National Airport each year. She contends that claiming national security concerns for every flight to justify disabling ADS-B is unjustifiable, especially when civilian aircraft rely on this technology to avoid collisions in shared airspace. “It’s hard to believe that every one of these numerous helicopter missions requires such secrecy that a critical safety tool like ADS-B Out can’t be activated,” Cantwell wrote, highlighting the potential risks to both military personnel and civilians.

The FAA granted the military an exemption from ADS-B requirements in 2019 for operations involving national defense, intelligence, or law enforcement, where broadcasting flight data could compromise security. However, the exemption was intended for rare, sensitive missions, not routine activities like the training flight involved in the January tragedy. Senator Ted Cruz, the Republican chair of the Commerce Committee, echoed Cantwell’s concerns, noting that the crashed helicopter had no pressing national security reason to disable ADS-B during a standard exercise. This bipartisan push reflects broader unease about the military’s interpretation of the exemption, especially as the DC area’s airspace hosts three major airports and multiple military installations, creating a complex environment where safety measures are paramount. Airlines for America, a trade group representing major US carriers, has also weighed in, urging the FAA to mandate ADS-B use for military aircraft near busy airports and to limit helicopter routes around Reagan National to essential missions only, such as medical evacuations or critical defense operations.

Following the crash, immediate steps were taken to address safety gaps. The FAA imposed indefinite restrictions on helicopter traffic near Reagan National Airport, closing two runways and causing significant flight disruptions, including over 100 cancellations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a detailed investigation, analyzing black box data from both aircraft to pinpoint the collision’s cause, with early findings suggesting the helicopter exceeded its permitted altitude of 200 feet, reaching approximately 325 feet. Investigators are also exploring factors like crew visibility and air traffic control coordination, though a full report may take months. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has remained silent on Cantwell’s latest challenge as of March 7, 2025, though earlier statements from Secretary Hegseth described the flight as a “continuity of government” exercise, hinting at a possible elevation error without addressing ADS-B directly. This lack of response has fueled speculation about whether the military will adjust its policies or defend its current stance, particularly as public and political pressure mounts.

The stakes are high in the DC region, where historical data underscores the sheer volume of helicopter activity. A 2021 Government Accountability Office report documented 88,000 helicopter flights within 30 miles of Reagan National over three years, including 33,000 military and 18,000 law enforcement operations, illustrating the airspace’s complexity. Past incidents, like a near-miss in May 2024 between an American Airlines jet and a small plane, further highlight the ongoing challenges of managing mixed traffic in this area. Cantwell’s call for ADS-B adoption aligns with a broader push for transparency and accountability, as stakeholders seek to prevent future tragedies. The senator has previously questioned FAA agreements allowing military helicopters to operate without ADS-B near civilian flight paths, where vertical separation can be as narrow as 350 feet, amplifying collision risks. Her latest letter builds on these concerns, pressing for a reevaluation of how the Pentagon balances security with safety in routine operations.

Beyond immediate restrictions, proposed long-term solutions include Cruz’s request for a safety review of airports with heavy mixed traffic and Airlines for America’s call for permanent route adjustments. These measures aim to address systemic issues in DC’s airspace, where the interplay of civilian, military, and government flights demands robust safety systems. The absence of ADS-B on the crashed helicopter has become a focal point, with experts noting that its use could have alerted air traffic controllers or the jet’s crew to the impending danger. As the NTSB investigation unfolds, its findings could shape future regulations, potentially forcing the Pentagon to adopt ADS-B more widely or refine its exemption criteria. For now, Cantwell’s challenge represents a critical step toward ensuring that military helicopter flights in the DC area prioritize safety without compromising their operational needs, offering a path to protect lives in one of America’s busiest skies.