NTSB says House bill does not fully address mid-air collision safety recommendations

The agency says the proposed legislation fails to require collision-warning technology.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated on Thursday that a proposed U.S. House of Representatives aviation safety bill does not fully address safety recommendations the agency issued after a 2025 mid-air collision near Washington that killed 67 people. The NTSB said the House ALERT act fails to address its recommendation to require the collision-warning technology known as ADS-B.

Why it matters

Mid-air collisions are a major aviation safety concern, and the NTSB's recommendations are intended to help prevent such tragic incidents in the future. The agency's criticism of the House bill suggests the proposed legislation may not go far enough to address this critical safety issue.

The details

The NTSB said the House ALERT act, which is intended to improve aviation safety, does not fully implement the agency's recommendations made after a 2025 mid-air collision near Washington that killed 67 people. Specifically, the NTSB stated that the bill fails to require the use of ADS-B, a collision-warning technology that the agency believes is necessary to enhance safety and prevent future mid-air crashes.

  • The mid-air collision near Washington occurred in 2025.
  • The NTSB made its safety recommendations following the 2025 incident.
  • The U.S. House of Representatives introduced the ALERT act in 2026.

The players

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

An independent 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 the ALERT act, an aviation safety bill.

ADS-B

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, a collision-warning technology that the NTSB believes should be required to enhance aviation safety.

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What’s next

The U.S. House of Representatives will continue to consider the ALERT act and may make revisions to address the NTSB's concerns about the lack of ADS-B requirements.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing aviation safety regulations with legislative priorities, and the importance of heeding the safety recommendations of expert agencies like the NTSB to prevent future tragedies.