FAA to launch investigation into Army helicopter forcing jets to shift course near DCA

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will launch a probe into why an Army helicopter forced two passenger jets to shift courses near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

The incident occurred on Thursday when the helicopter flew too close to the inbound planes, which were heading to the same airport where a passenger plane and military helicopter collision in January killed all 67 people aboard both vehicles.

The FAA said the black hawk helicopter was flying a more "scenic route around the Pentagon" instead of a more direct flight, Politico reported. The flight plan caused the jets to perform go-around maneuvers.

Duffy indicated on X that the military helicopter violated the FAA's regulations regarding the airspace around DCA, and promised to question the Defense Department (DoD) on why he was ignored.

"Safety must ALWAYS come first. We just lost 67 souls!" he posted to X. "No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians. Take a taxi or Uber - besides most VIPs have black car service."

The secretary said the National Transportation Safety Board will also investigate the incident.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.