NTSB warns NDAA weakens post‑crash safety
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy warned on Dec. 10 that a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act would undercut post‑crash safety improvements by exempting some military aircraft from ADS‑B position broadcasting, a requirement DoD agreed to after January’s deadly Black Hawk–airliner collision near DCA that killed 67. In a letter to Armed Services leaders, Homendy said the language would recreate the conditions before the crash; a bipartisan group of Senate Commerce leaders urged adopting the ROTOR Act instead to mandate ADS‑B with limited exemptions.
📌 Key Facts
- Homendy said the NTSB "vehemently" opposes the NDAA section and called it a "safety whitewash."
- The January 29 DCA midair collision between a military Black Hawk and an American Airlines regional jet killed 67.
- Senators Cruz, Cantwell, Moran, and Duckworth urged colleagues to back the ROTOR Act to require ADS‑B and limit exemptions.
📊 Relevant Data
The rate of severe US military aircraft accidents per 100,000 flight hours increased from 1.30 in 2020 to 2.02 in 2024, representing a 55% rise.
Recent data shows significant spike in US military aircraft accidents — Military Times
The Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in the January 2025 DCA midair collision was flying above its altitude limit.
NTSB Finds Army Black Hawk in Fatal Midair Crash with Plane Was Above Altitude Limit — Military.com
The altimeter in the Black Hawk helicopter may have malfunctioned before the DCA midair collision.
3 big takeaways from the NTSB hearing on the DCA midair collision — NPR
The FAA permits military aircraft to turn off ADS-B transmissions for operations related to homeland security, law enforcement, national defense, and intelligence to avoid compromising sensitive missions.
New Rule Allows Military Aircraft to Turn Off ADS-B Transmissions — Aviation Today