Army pauses helicopter training flights around Pentagon after 2 disruptions to commercial flights last week
Share this @internewscast.com

The Army has paused all helicopter training flights around the Pentagon near Washington after disruptions to two commercial flights last Thursday.

An Army representative confirmed to Fox News on Monday that there’s a temporary halt in place while an investigation is conducted. This follows last week’s incident at Reagan National Airport (DCA), where two flights were redirected after a Pentagon tower instructed an Army helicopter on a training flight to orbit the Pentagon one more time before landing. 

Officials revealed that around 2:30 p.m. that day, air traffic control directed a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 to execute “go-arounds” at DCA due to the approach of an Army Black Hawk helicopter to the Pentagon Army Heliport, as per statements from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The FAA said the Black Hawk was a priority air transport helicopter.

Emergency response units search the crash site of the American Airlines plane on the Potomac River

The FAA says it is working to update technology after the DCA crash that claimed 67 lives. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Thursday’s disruptions come less than one month after the FAA increased staffing and oversight for the DCA air traffic control team.

Earlier in March, the FAA declared that it would permanently limit “nonessential” helicopter activities around the airport and discontinue the mixing of helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft traffic.

The agency also prohibited the simultaneous use of runways 15/33 and 4/22 when helicopters that are conducting urgent missions are operating near DCA.

It is unclear how the incident took place, given the new guidelines.

The airport’s main runway is the busiest runway in America, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

Fox News’ Chad Pergram, Landon Mion, Grady Trimble and Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Tourist stabbed multiple times at NYC's iconic Macy's during holiday shopping rush

Suspect in Macy’s Stabbing Incident Released from Psychiatric Ward on Day of Attack, Has History of Mental Illness

A homeless woman from Massachusetts, recently charged with stabbing another woman inside…
Loop puncher Chicago news: Marlon Miller ordered detained after alleged attacks, some while wearing ankle monitor, officials say

Chicago’s Marlon Miller Detained: Alleged Loop Attacks Persist Despite Ankle Monitor Supervision

A man accused of multiple assaults in downtown Chicago has been ordered…
Israel announces it killed one of the architects of the Oct. 7 attacks

Israel Confirms Elimination of Key Planner Behind October 7th Attacks

On Saturday, Israel reported the elimination of Ra’ad Sa’ad, a pivotal figure…
Chicago weather today: Cold Weather Advisory issued, forecast calls for snow, dangerous temps at Bears game Sunday

Chicago Braces for Snow and Hazardous Temperatures: Cold Weather Advisory in Effect for Sunday’s Bears Game

CHICAGO (WLS) — A wave of snow coupled with dangerously low temperatures…
Readers sound off on aid for landlords, departing Mets stars and a seized oil tanker

Debate Ignites Over Landlord Assistance, Mets Star Exits, and Seized Oil Tanker Drama

With a little help, private landlords can do it Staten Island: In…
Hamas Reprisals: Terror Group Accused of Killing Pregnant Woman, 5-Year-Old in Gaza

Israeli Forces Neutralize Key Hamas Weapons Leader Linked to October 7 Attacks

On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a targeted airstrike in…
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Code Pink, 'Traitors,' Together

Unexpected Alliance: Marjorie Taylor Greene Joins Forces with Code Pink

Recently, there’s been a noticeable shift among some leftists who have developed…
Maduro’s heirs: human rights violators, corrupt enforcers and ruthless loyalists

Inside Maduro’s Inner Circle: Allegations of Human Rights Abuses and Corruption

As the Trump administration intensifies its stance on Venezuela, experts caution that…
NATO secretary general warns Russia could target alliance members next amid rising tensions

NATO Chief Alerts: Russia May Set Sights on Member Nations as Tensions Escalate

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte issued a stark warning to the alliance’s…
Wounded National Guardsman is making 'extraordinary progress,' can breathe on his own: doctor

National Guardsman Exhibits Remarkable Recovery, Now Breathing Independently, Reports Doctor

The National Guardsman who sustained a gunshot wound to the head in…
One person killed after U-Haul truck explodes in Idaho retail shopping center parking lot

Tragic U-Haul Explosion Claims Life in Idaho Shopping Center Parking Lot

Tragedy struck early Saturday morning when a U-Haul truck exploded, resulting in…
Jacob Elordi gets into heated confrontation with paparazzo in Paris

Jacob Elordi’s Tense Paparazzi Clash in Paris: A Heated Encounter Caught on Camera

Jacob Elordi, a fresh nominee for the Golden Globe Awards, recently found…