Two aircraft had to execute “go-arounds” to avert a collision with a military helicopter on Thursday at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This incident follows a January crash involving a commercial plane and a Black Hawk Army helicopter that resulted in 67 fatalities.
At around 2:30 p.m., air traffic controllers directed a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 to perform “go-arounds” at DCA. This precaution was due to a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter making its way to the Pentagon Army Heliport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
A plane navigates near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, following the crash involving American Eagle flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., January 30, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)
FAA officials continue to evaluate current arrival rates at DCA per hour, which are “disproportionately concentrated” within the last 30 minutes of each hour.
The airport has the busiest runway in America, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
NTSB officials are investigating Thursday’s incident.
The U.S. Army did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
