Following a fatal helicopter crash that killed a pilot and a Spanish family of five, the FAA announced the immediate closure of New York Helicopter Tours and a review of its safety record. This action followed Senator Schumer’s call for the company’s operating permits to be revoked and for increased safety inspections across the industry, citing a history of fatal incidents. The crash, which occurred Thursday, renewed concerns about the safety of New York City’s helicopter sightseeing tours. Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.
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On Thursday, two American Airlines planes collided on the Reagan National Airport runway, with one wing clipping another. Representatives Josh Gottheimer, Nick LaLota, Grace Meng, and Adriano Espaillat were passengers on one of the affected flights, reporting no injuries. The FAA will investigate the incident, which occurred while the planes awaited takeoff. This event follows recent concerns regarding staffing levels and safety at the airport, prompting calls for a thorough investigation and renewed attention to air traffic control resources.
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A near-miss occurred Friday afternoon between a Delta Air Lines flight departing Reagan National Airport and a US Air Force T-38 Talon jet, prompting an onboard alert and corrective actions from air traffic control. The incident, which occurred near the site of a previous fatal collision, involved the military jet passing within close proximity to the Delta aircraft at a high rate of speed. The FAA will investigate this close call, which follows recent congressional hearings concerning numerous prior near-misses between military and commercial aircraft in the same area. This event underscores ongoing safety concerns regarding military aircraft operations near Reagan National Airport.
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On Saturday morning, multiple airliners approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport received simultaneous false TCAS collision alerts, prompting at least three go-arounds. The FAA is investigating these unusual, widespread false alarms from the aircraft’s onboard collision avoidance systems, which occurred in clusters, with no visible threats present. While the exact number of affected flights remains unclear, the incidents involved several carriers and prompted speculation from pilots and controllers. The FAA reports the issue has not recurred since Saturday.
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A near-miss occurred at Chicago Midway International Airport when a Southwest Airlines flight and a Flexjet Bombardier Challenger 350 almost collided on the runway. The Southwest plane executed a go-around maneuver to avoid the private jet, which had entered the runway without authorization. The FAA and NTSB are investigating this incident, adding to a recent string of concerning aviation safety events. The close call involved a minimal separation distance of approximately 2,050 feet before the go-around, highlighting the need for enhanced safety protocols. Both Southwest and Flexjet are cooperating with the investigations.
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A fatal plane crash involving two small, fixed-wing aircraft occurred at approximately 8:29 a.m. at Marana Regional Airport, resulting in two confirmed fatalities. The airport was subsequently closed following the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the cause of the crash. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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United Airlines Flight 1382, an Airbus A319 en route from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport to LaGuardia, aborted takeoff due to an engine fire. Passenger video captured flames erupting from the wing, prompting an evacuation via stairs and emergency slides. All 109 passengers and crew members escaped without injury, and the FAA is currently investigating the cause. A replacement aircraft will transport passengers to New York later in the day.
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At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, an aircraft tug operated by a United Airlines employee collided with an Air Wisconsin plane, critically injuring the 64-year-old tug driver. The incident, under FAA investigation, occurred as the Bombardier CRJ-200 landed and approached the gate, causing the tug to overturn and pin the driver. No passengers were harmed, and airport operations continued largely unaffected. Both American Airlines and United Airlines are cooperating with the investigation and offering support to their respective employees.
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A midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a Black Hawk helicopter over Washington, D.C., resulted in the deaths of all 67 people aboard. Preliminary investigations suggest potential issues with air traffic control staffing at Reagan National Airport, prompting concerns about broader problems within the Federal Aviation Administration’s management. Aviation experts urge patience, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation before assigning blame, while also highlighting the ongoing need for qualified personnel within air traffic control. Despite this tragedy, experts maintain that air travel remains remarkably safe.
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Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s air traffic control system faces significant challenges due to understaffing, with only 19 certified controllers compared to the recommended 30. This shortage, exacerbated by high employee turnover and budget constraints, necessitates long working hours for controllers (up to 60 hours per week). The complexity of managing both helicopter and airplane traffic on potentially different radio frequencies further strains the system. These issues, potentially linked to past policy decisions, contribute to safety concerns at a major US airport.
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John Q. Hosedrinker