A year and a half ago, on January 29, 2025, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a PSA Airlines CRJ operating as American Airlines Flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision claimed the lives of 67 people, including 60 passengers, two pilots, and two flight attendants aboard the CRJ, as well as the three Army crewmembers aboard the helicopter.
Six months ago, we concluded our investigation and adopted our final report, issuing 75 findings and 50 safety recommendations, all of which must be implemented to prevent reoccurrence, yet we are no closer today to addressing many of the serious safety gaps that contributed to this terrible tragedy.
Every day that passes without implementation of all 50 NTSB recommendations represents a continued and unacceptable risk to public safety.
Congress has taken significant, historic steps to address many of the Board's recommendations, and that progress deserves recognition. But the work is not finished. Congress left for August recess without action on a final bill, and we urge they work through differences during this recess so that a final package can be voted on when Congress returns in September.
The National Transportation Safety Board provided a clear roadmap to improve aviation safety and reduce the risk of another catastrophic midair collision. Now it's time for action that was promised months ago; we owe it to the victims, to the families who continue to grieve their loss, and to the millions of people who rely on the safety of our aviation system every day.
To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).
