Acting FAA Administrator Says “Something Was Missed” Regarding Deadly Crash

Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau has acknowledged that “something was missed” leading to the deadly aircraft collision near Reagan National Airport in January and resolved that the agency needs to improve.

Key Insights

During a recent Congressional hearing covering findings and insights on the deadly DC air crash, Acting FAA Administrator acknowledged that “something was missed” and that the agency has work to do.
Data shows thousands of “close proximity” incidents around Reagan National Airport that the FAA failed to address.
The Army helicopter involved had not transmitted location data for 730 days, and was flying above its authorized altitude limit at the time of the collision.
New safety measures include required location broadcasting technology (ADS-B Out) for all aircraft near Reagan Airport and banning the helicopter route where the crash occurred.
The NTSB is planning to complete its full investigation into the crash within the next year.

Oversight Failures Exposed

A congressional hearing into January’s devastating midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter covered insights from the investigation into the incident and included testimony from multiple officials. “Between October 2021 and December 2024 there were over 15,000 close proximity events between commercial aircraft and helicopters at DCA,” NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy said during testimony. Reports indicate that investigators have found 85 particularly close calls in the area from the past three years, but Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau indicated this trend went unnoticed.

Rocheleau, who was named for the position in January, took personal responsibility during his testimony, acknowledging significant oversight shortcomings. “Something was missed at the DCA crash. I take that seriously. I take that on myself,” Rocheleau said during the hearing, pledging to improve the agency’s approach to safety data analysis and implementation of corrective actions.

FAA administrator: 'Clearly, something was missed' that led to DC plane crash https://t.co/4UwruYIdaD

— ABC11 EyewitnessNews (@ABC11_WTVD) March 28, 2025

Military Protocol Concerns and Communication Breakdowns

The hearing also covered troubling details about the Army helicopter’s operations prior to the crash. NTSB investigators found the Black Hawk had not transmitted location data (ADS-B Out) for 730 days, and other helicopters in the same unit also had transmission issues. This revelation prompted Texas Senator Ted Cruz to question the Army about their policies. Notably, the Army has been known to avoid broadcasting the locations of its aircraft during missions deemed sensitive.

At the time of the collision, the helicopter was also reportedly flying above its authorized altitude limit, with some discrepancies in altitude readings between different systems. The Black Hawk crew, identified as Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, was using night-vision goggles, which investigators believe limited their peripheral vision. A controller had alerted the helicopter about the converging paths with the jet, and the military pilot had requested “visual separation” shortly before the crash.

“I was surprised at the lapses of safety protocols that led to this crash,” said Dailey Crofton, family member of one of the victims.

New Safety Measures and Accountability

In response to the tragedy, the FAA has implemented several new safety measures. Helicopter traffic around Reagan National has been restricted, and the specific helicopter route involved in the collision has been permanently banned under most circumstances. The agency is now requiring all aircraft near Reagan National to broadcast their locations using ADS-B Out technology for better tracking and collision avoidance. Additionally, the FAA is employing AI and machine learning to analyze airspace data more effectively.

“We have to do better. We have to identify trends, we have to get smarter about how we use data, and when we put corrective actions in place, we must execute them,” stated Rocheleau during the hearing, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements in aviation safety management.

Former Black Hawk pilot Tim Lilley expressed frustration during the hearing over the Army’s lack of accountability and failure to implement previously recommended safety measures. The NTSB aims to complete the crash investigation within a year, with particular focus on helicopter route mapping around Reagan Airport and potential equipment malfunctions in the Army’s helicopter fleet.