Families of Victims in Deadly Midair Collision Push Congress for Aviation Safety Reforms

Senators and grieving families believe advanced aircraft locator systems could have prevented the tragedy near Washington, D.C.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Key senators and the families of the 67 people who died when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. are convinced that advanced aircraft locator systems recommended by experts for nearly two decades would have prevented last year's tragedy. However, it remains unclear if a bill requiring these systems around busy airports will pass Congress.

Why it matters

The midair collision near the nation's capital resulted in the tragic deaths of 67 people, including 28 members of the figure skating community. The victims' families and lawmakers believe implementing the NTSB's longstanding recommendations for advanced aircraft tracking systems could have prevented this disaster.

The details

The Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing to review the NTSB's 50 recommendations to prevent another midair collision like the one that occurred on January 29, 2025. The key recommendation is requiring all aircraft flying around busy airports to have both ADS-B out systems that broadcast location and ADS-B in systems that receive location data from other aircraft. If the American Airlines jet had been equipped with an ADS-B in system, the pilots may have been able to avoid the Black Hawk helicopter that climbed into their path.

  • The midair collision occurred on January 29, 2025.
  • The Senate Commerce Committee hearing is scheduled for this Thursday.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

Chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, who will be the sole witness at the Senate hearing.

Sean Duffy

U.S. Transportation Secretary, who has endorsed the NTSB's recommendations.

Amy Hunter

Cousin of Peter Livingston, who died on the flight with his wife and two young daughters.

Tim Lilley

Pilot whose son Sam was the co-pilot of the airliner that collided with the helicopter.

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What they’re saying

“This seems like a no-brainer, right? Especially when this is not a new thing that they're proposing.”

— Amy Hunter, Cousin of Crash Victim

“If those recommendations had been fully realized, this accident wouldn't have happened. I don't know what value we put on the human life, but 67 lives would still be here today.”

— Tim Lilley, Pilot

What’s next

The Senate has already unanimously approved a bill that would require aircraft flying around busy airports to have both ADS-B out and ADS-B in systems. However, House leaders want to craft their own comprehensive bill addressing all of the NTSB's recommendations instead of immediately passing the ROTOR Act.

The takeaway

This tragedy has galvanized the victims' families and key lawmakers to push for long-overdue aviation safety reforms, particularly the implementation of advanced aircraft tracking systems that experts have been recommending for years. The cost concerns must be weighed against the immense human toll of this preventable disaster.