Fatal Midair Crash Exposes FAA Failures and Dangerous Military Airspace Practices Near DC

The tragic midair collision in January that claimed 67 lives—a stark reminder of the nation’s vulnerability—has laid bare systemic failures by the Federal Aviation Administration and concerning military flight practices near Washington D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport. With the National Transportation Safety Board concluding its final public hearings, one thing is clear: complacency and inadequate regulation have paved the way for disaster. Why Did FAA Ignore Long-Standing Warnings? For years, multiple warnings about the hazards posed by heavy helicopter traffic around Reagan Airport fell on deaf ears at the FAA. Instead of proactive measures, officials leaned heavily on pilots’ visual...