NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on DCA Midair Collision, Issues Urgent Safety Recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on the tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) on January 29, 2025. The accident involved a PSA Airlines CRJ700, operating as Flight 5342, and a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60L helicopter, PAT25. The collision, which occurred over the Potomac River just southeast of DCA, resulted in the loss of all 67 lives aboard both aircraft.
Preliminary Findings
According to the NTSB report, PSA Flight 5342 was on approach to DCA’s Runway 33 when it collided with PAT25, which was conducting a night vision training flight along Helicopter routes around the airport. The crash took place at approximately 300 feet above the river, with the CRJ700 configured for landing and the helicopter operating at an altitude designated for its flight path.
Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications reveal that the DCA tower had advised the helicopter crew about the approaching regional jet and had approved their request to maintain visual separation. However, data from both aircraft’s cockpit voice recorders (CVRs) indicate possible miscommunication regarding the helicopter's expected flight path and the airliner’s final approach. Moments before the collision, the CRJ700’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) issued an alert, but at that altitude, resolution advisories (automated avoidance commands) were inhibited.
Urgent Safety Recommendations
Following its initial analysis, the NTSB issued two urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aimed at preventing future accidents in the congested airspace near DCA:
- Prohibit Helicopter Operations When Runway 33 or 15 is in Use
The NTSB found that existing separation between helicopter traffic and aircraft approaching Runway 33 is insufficient. The board recommended that the FAA prohibit helicopter traffic between Hains Point and the Wilson Bridge whenever Runway 33 or Runway 15 is active. - Designate an Alternative Helicopter Route
Recognizing that the helicopter routes are vital for law enforcement, Coast Guard, and other public safety flights, the NTSB also urged the FAA to establish a safe alternate route for helicopters when the restriction is in place.
The NTSB’s Role and Next Steps
The NTSB does not have regulatory authority, meaning it can only issue safety recommendations rather than enforce new rules. It is now up to the FAA to determine whether and how to implement these urgent recommendations. The FAA has already issued a temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the Potomac near DCA, effective through March 31, 2025, while further review takes place.
The investigation remains ongoing, with a focus on ATC procedures, flight crew decision-making, and aircraft performance leading up to the crash. The final report, which will include the probable cause and additional safety recommendations, is expected in the coming months.
Final Thoughts
This tragic accident underscores the challenges of managing mixed fixed-wing and rotary-wing traffic in busy airspace. The NTSB’s preliminary report highlights critical safety concerns that demand immediate attention from regulators and operators alike. While the FAA considers these recommendations, we are likely to continue to see delays and ground stops into the airport during times of helicopter traffic.
