A malfunctioning hotline between military and civilian air traffic controllers in Washington, D.C., has raised safety concerns following a recent near miss involving Army helicopters, according to Sen. Ted Cruz at a Senate hearing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) admitted it was unaware that the hotline had been non-operational since March 2022, a situation exacerbated by construction at the Pentagon. Despite alternative communication methods available, the FAA has insisted that the hotline must be repaired before resuming helicopter flights near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The Army declared it would only conduct mission-critical operations until the communications line was resolved. This determination comes after the Army had previously suspended all helicopter flights around DCA following safety concerns. FAA official Frank McIntosh emphasized that safety protocols were breached, allowing an Army helicopter to enter the airspace without permission from air traffic control—an occurrence McIntosh deemed problematic.
The recent past is troubling, as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported 85 near misses in the three years before a tragic midair collision in January that killed 67 people. As the investigation into the crash unfolds, criticism has emerged regarding the Army’s transparency in addressing airspace safety. Proposals to require 24-hour notice for Army flights near DCA are under consideration.
Senator Tammy Duckworth highlighted ongoing coordination failures between the FAA and the Department of Defense, which jeopardize public safety. With the NTSB actively investigating safety protocols, the urgent need for improved communication and compliance is underscored to prevent further accidents in the high-traffic airspace surrounding D.C.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
