Potomac River crash: On January 29, 2025, a devastating midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) claimed 67 lives.
A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700, carrying 64 passengers and crew, collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all aboard both aircraft.
Following the collision, both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, marking the first fatal U.S. commercial airline crash since 2009.
During a 27 March Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing, Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau faced tough questions about why this tragedy wasn’t prevented.
15,240 Close Proximity Events in 3 Years
A shocking National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report revealed 15,240 “close proximity events” between commercial planes and helicopters near DCA from October 2021 to December 2024. These near-misses should have waved a massive red flag.
The NTSB labeled the situation an “intolerable” safety risk. With some flight paths separated by just 75 feet, the busy airspace around DCA was a disaster waiting to happen.
In his testimony, Rocheleau admitted, “Clearly something was missed.” That “something” ties directly to those 15,240 incidents. Each successive close call should have raised alarm bells.
Yet, the FAA’s oversight failed to address the growing danger. The sheer volume of near-misses painted a clear picture: the system was overstretched, and risks were ignored.
FAA Safety Actions
Rocheleau, who took over as Acting FAA Administrator on January 30, 2025, outlined steps the agency is now taking. The FAA is using artificial intelligence to spot safety trends in flight data.
They’ve also set up a Safety Risk Management Panel and are working with aviation groups to reduce risks between helicopters and planes.
A new agreement with the Department of Defense will require ADS-B-Out technology on all aircraft in the area. These are solid moves, but senators pushed for more lasting fixes. The 15,240 close calls demanded urgency long before the crash—not after.
Conclusion
Why didn’t those numbers trigger alarm bells? The hearing exposed gaps in FAA oversight, from air traffic controller shortages to outdated safety rules. DCA’s airspace is among the nation’s trickiest, juggling commercial jets, military helicopters, and private flights.
The NTSB’s report shows the 15,240 incidents weren’t random – they were a pattern. A pattern the FAA should have tackled head-on.
Rocheleau stressed that safety is the FAA’s top goal. He pledged support for the NTSB’s ongoing investigation to pinpoint the crash’s cause and drive improvements.
But the real lesson lies in those 15,240 near-misses prior to the Potomac River crash. They represented multiple chances to act on what appears to have been a systemic problem. This tragedy could have been avoided if the FAA had seen them for what they were: a glaring red flag in one of America’s busiest skies.
Click the banner to subscribe to our weekly newsleter.
Click the photo to join our WhatsApp channel so then you can stay up to date with everything going on in the aviation industry!
