NTSB Details 'Deep' FAA and ATC Failures Behind 2025 Reagan National Midair Collision
The NTSB concluded that "deep, underlying systemic failures" led to the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National between an Army Black Hawk and an American Airlines jet, citing an instrument failure that likely made the helicopter appear about 100 feet lower and a flawed, previously‑flagged helicopter route design. Investigators found FAA data showing more than 80 prior serious close calls in the Potomac corridor that went unaddressed, no evidence of required recent route reviews, and operational breakdowns—one overwhelmed controller handling both helicopter and fixed‑wing traffic who did not issue a safety alert and a supervisor who did not split positions—prompting calls for major changes to ATC procedures and FAA oversight.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National was caused by “deep, underlying systemic failures” and described the accident as “one failure after another.”
- The NTSB concluded the crash resulted from broad breakdowns across systems and agencies (FAA and air traffic control), not solely from a single controller or pilot error.
- Investigators found an instrument failure on the Army Black Hawk that likely caused its pilots to believe they were about 100 feet lower than they actually were.
- FAA data showed more than 80 prior serious close calls between helicopters and passenger aircraft in the Potomac River airspace; the NTSB found a flawed helicopter route design had been previously flagged, but the FAA failed to act and produced no evidence of recent required reviews of the corridor.
- The board found that a single overwhelmed controller was handling both helicopter and fixed‑wing traffic and failed to issue a safety alert, and that a supervisor did not split positions despite earlier workload complaints.
- The NTSB’s written report and public hearing included a reconstruction animation that walked investigators and the public through the sequence of events, and NTSB members are calling for significant changes in ATC procedures and FAA oversight around Washington, D.C.
đź“° Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 28, 2026
5:45 PM
Alarming NTSB report describes "deep" failures that led to D.C. midair plane crash
New information:
- CBS segment highlights that the NTSB’s written report and public meeting frame the crash as the result of 'systemic failures' across multiple organizations, not a single controller or pilot error.
- The report underscores that controllers were overloaded, that a flawed helicopter route design near Reagan National had been flagged before, and that prior near-miss warnings went unheeded.
- The piece amplifies NTSB members’ characterization of the shortcomings as 'deep' and calls for significant changes in ATC procedures and FAA oversight around D.C.
12:12 AM
NTSB blames 'deep' systemic failures for deadly midair collision near Washington D.C.
New information:
- NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy explicitly described the crash as caused by 'deep, underlying systemic failures' and said it was 'one failure after another.'
- Investigators found an instrument failure on the Army Black Hawk that likely led pilots to believe they were flying 100 feet lower than they really were.
- The NTSB said FAA data contained more than 80 prior serious close calls between helicopters and passenger aircraft in the same airspace, but the agency failed to act on the pattern.
- Homendy said the FAA was supposed to evaluate helicopter routes annually but produced no evidence of having recently reviewed the Potomac River corridor where the crash occurred.
- The board concluded a single overwhelmed controller was handling both helicopter and fixed‑wing traffic and failed to issue a safety alert, while a supervisor did not split the positions despite earlier workload complaints.
12:07 AM
NTSB animation shows lead-up to deadly mid-air crash near D.C. airport
New information:
- CBS segment includes and describes an NTSB reconstruction animation that visually shows the lead‑up to the January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport.
- The piece reiterates that federal investigators have now publicly walked through the sequence of events and contributing factors at the hearing.
January 27, 2026
11:54 PM
"Systemic failures" led to 2025 deadly midair crash near Washington, D.C., NTSB chair says
New information:
- CBS clip highlights the NTSB chair personally stating that 'systemic failures' caused the 2025 midair crash between an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Washington, D.C.
- Reinforces that NTSB’s leadership is framing the accident not as a single-controller or pilot error but as a broader breakdown across systems and agencies.