NTSB Cites Years of Ignored Warnings in Deadly Potomac Crash

Investigators uncover multiple factors that contributed to the collision of a US Army helicopter and passenger plane near Washington, DC, killing 67 people.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:31am

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Investigators have uncovered several factors that contributed to the collision of a US Army helicopter and a passenger airplane near Washington, DC, last January, killing 67 people in the deadliest US air disaster since 2001. The National Transportation Safety Board discussed the investigation's findings, including testimony about numerous near-crashes in the years before the fatal collision, as well as missed opportunities for the Federal Aviation Administration to address risks.

Why it matters

The NTSB hearing highlighted systemic issues across multiple organizations, including the FAA's failure to address known risks and the lack of data sharing between the Army and FAA, which contributed to the tragic crash. The findings raise concerns about aviation safety and the need for meaningful change to prevent similar disasters in the future.

The details

NTSB members were troubled by years of ignored warnings about helicopter traffic dangers and other problems prior to the crash. Key factors included the placement of a helicopter route in the approach path of Reagan National Airport's secondary runway without regularly reviewing it, and air traffic controllers' over-reliance on asking pilots to avoid other aircraft. Investigators emphasized the history of missed opportunities to address the risks related to helicopter traffic.

  • The crash occurred on January 28, 2026.
  • Thursday, January 28, 2027 marks the first anniversary of the crash.
  • The NTSB hearing discussing the investigation's findings took place on Tuesday.

The players

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil transportation accidents in the United States.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation in the United States.

US Army

The branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations.

Todd Inman

An NTSB board member.

Kristen Miller-Zahn

A family member of one of the victims.

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What they’re saying

“I'm sorry for you, as these pages of these reports are written in your family members' blood. I'm sorry that we have to be here.”

— Todd Inman, NTSB Board Member

“The negligence of not fixing things that needed to be fixed killed my brother and 66 other people. So I'm not very happy.”

— Kristen Miller-Zahn

“It was just a shocking dereliction of duty by the FAA. And they have so much work to be done to fix it. And just from my background, I don't know if the people there are up to it.”

— Mary Schiavo, Former US Department of Transportation Inspector General

What’s next

The NTSB listed a series of recommendations at the conclusion of the hearing, designed to strengthen the safety cultures at the FAA and Army and reduce the risk of a similar midair collision from happening again. The Federal Aviation Administration has already made some changes to ensure helicopters and planes no longer share the same airspace around the airport.

The takeaway

The NTSB hearing revealed a troubling pattern of ignored warnings and missed opportunities by the FAA and other agencies to address known risks, which ultimately led to the tragic Potomac crash. This disaster highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of aviation safety protocols and a renewed commitment to prioritizing public safety over bureaucratic inertia.