Trending Now - FAA Enforces Radar Rules for Helicopters Near Busy Airports

WHO:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford

U.S. Army (involved in the January 29, 2025 incident)

American Airlines (involved in the January 29, 2025 incident)

WHAT:

The FAA will now use radar to actively track helicopters near busy airports.

The FAA reported over 15,000 close calls at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport between October 2021 and December 2024.

A midair collision on January 29, 2025, killed 67 people, marking it as the deadliest plane crash on U.S. soil since 2001.

The FAA's new guidelines apply to more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports.

The FAA noted that urgent medical or law enforcement missions may still proceed immediately under the new rules.

WHERE:

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

San Antonio International Airport, Texas

Hollywood Burbank Airport, California

Potomac River (location of the January 29, 2025 collision)

WHEN:

The FAA's order was published on March 18, 2026.

The midair collision occurred on January 29, 2025.

A near-miss incident occurred on February 27, 2026.

Another near-miss incident occurred on March 2, 2026.

WHY:

The FAA's decision was prompted by a series of recent problems and near-misses involving helicopters and airplanes.

Investigators found that an overreliance on visual separation contributed to safety events involving helicopters and airplanes.

HOW:

The FAA will implement radar tracking to ensure helicopters maintain safe distances from airplanes.

The FAA used AI tools to evaluate airports for potential safety issues involving helicopter and airplane operations.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 19:27 UTC)

Today, the FAA announced a new order to actively track helicopters near busy airports using radar, a decision prompted by a series of recent close calls and a tragic midair collision that killed 67 people on January 29, 2025. This new guideline, effective immediately, applies to more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and allows urgent medical or law enforcement missions to proceed without delay. The FAA's move comes after reports of over 15,000 close calls at DCA from October 2021 to December 2024, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures in air traffic management.