Overview
- The nearly 400-page report, released Feb. 17, concludes that multiple breakdowns led to the Jan. 29, 2025 collision over the Potomac that killed 67 people.
- Investigators identified the FAA’s placement of a helicopter route near a runway approach and its failure to review data or act on warnings as a central element of the probable cause.
- The NTSB found degraded tower operations at DCA after controller positions were combined without a risk assessment, resulting in missed advisories and absent safety alerts.
- The report faults the Army for inadequate pilot training on altimeter margin-of-error, notes the helicopter exceeded its allowed altitude, and highlights limits of see‑and‑avoid practices.
- Collision‑avoidance gaps included the helicopter’s ADS‑B Out being off and the absence of ADS‑B In on both aircraft, which the NTSB says could have warned crews up to 59 seconds before impact; the Senate passed a bill to tighten ADS‑B use near Washington, but House action and broader FAA changes remain pending, even as officials implemented route changes, traffic limits, and added tower staffing.