dailyloe.com – Internal safety reports obtained by CBS News reveal two close calls occurred on January 28, 2025. These incidents involved passenger jets and military helicopters near Washington D.C. They happened just one day before a fatal midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The first incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. local time. A pair of U.S. Army helicopters approached the airport at an unexpected altitude. This caused confusion within the airport’s air traffic control tower.
An American Airlines flight from Norfolk was descending simultaneously. A cockpit alarm instructed its pilot to climb immediately. This emergency maneuver avoided a potential collision with the helicopters.
A second close call happened less than four hours later. Another Army helicopter approached as a commercial flight prepared to land. This flight originated from Connecticut and carried approximately 80 passengers.
A collision alarm sounded for at least the second time that day. The commercial flight was forced to abort its landing procedure. Both flights ultimately landed safely without physical incident.
The following day, January 29, a fatal collision occurred. An Army Black Hawk helicopter, call sign PAT25, was on a training mission. It entered Reagan National’s designated airspace.
This Black Hawk collided midair with American Airlines Flight 5342. The catastrophic accident resulted in 67 fatalities. There were no survivors from either aircraft.
Former air traffic controller Emily Hanoka spoke about systemic issues. She worked in the Reagan control tower for nearly a decade. Hanoka stated warning signs existed for years before the crash.
She described obvious cracks and holes in the safety system. Her comments were part of a 60 Minutes investigation. The report highlights longstanding concerns about airspace management.
Air traffic controllers reportedly warned the Federal Aviation Administration repeatedly. These warnings spanned more than a decade according to documents. They cited increasing passenger jet traffic and complex airspace use.
The incidents underscore challenges in busy metropolitan air corridors. Washington D.C.’s airspace is among the most restricted globally. It requires careful coordination between civilian and military aviation authorities.
This tragedy has prompted renewed scrutiny of air traffic procedures. Investigations continue into the precise causes of the collision. Safety recommendations are expected following the final report.[]
Source: CBS News
