NTSB Criticizes House Bill on Mid-Air Collision Safety

Aviation safety agency says proposed legislation does not fully address its recommendations after deadly 2025 incident.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that a proposed U.S. House of Representatives aviation safety bill does not adequately address the safety recommendations the agency issued following a 2025 mid-air collision near Washington, D.C. that killed 67 people. The NTSB specifically noted that the House ALERT act fails to require the installation of collision-warning technology known as ADS-B, which was one of the NTSB's key recommendations.

Why it matters

Mid-air collisions are among the most catastrophic types of aviation accidents, and the NTSB's recommendations are intended to improve safety and prevent future tragedies. The agency's criticism of the House bill suggests that more work is needed to fully address the safety issues highlighted by the 2025 incident.

The details

The 2025 mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C. and resulted in the deaths of 67 people. In the aftermath, the NTSB issued a series of safety recommendations, including the requirement for collision-warning technology known as ADS-B. However, the NTSB has now stated that the proposed House ALERT act does not fully address these recommendations.

  • The 2025 mid-air collision occurred near Washington, D.C.
  • On February 26, 2026, the NTSB criticized the proposed House ALERT act for not fully addressing its safety recommendations.

The players

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The U.S. government agency responsible for investigating transportation accidents and issuing safety recommendations.

U.S. House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the United States Congress, which is currently considering an aviation safety bill known as the ALERT act.

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What’s next

The House will likely need to revise the ALERT act to address the NTSB's concerns about mid-air collision safety recommendations.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in aviation safety and the need for policymakers to carefully consider expert recommendations from agencies like the NTSB when drafting legislation to improve air travel safety.