Grieving Families Press Congress on Aviation Safety Reforms After Midair Collision Near DC

Senators and victims' families believe advanced aircraft locator systems could have prevented tragedy, but cost concerns remain a stumbling block.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Key senators and the families of the 67 people killed in an airliner collision with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C. are pushing for Congress to pass legislation requiring all aircraft to be equipped with advanced locator systems that can broadcast and receive location data. The National Transportation Safety Board has recommended these systems for nearly two decades, but they are not currently mandatory. While the Senate has already approved a bill to require the systems, House leaders want to craft a more comprehensive bill addressing all NTSB recommendations, delaying action. Victims' families believe the locator systems could have prevented the tragedy, but cost concerns for airlines and general aviation pilots are a major obstacle.

Why it matters

The midair collision near the nation's capital that killed 67 people, including 28 members of the figure skating community, has renewed calls for aviation safety reforms. Experts and victims' families believe the implementation of advanced aircraft locator systems recommended by the NTSB could have prevented this tragedy, but cost concerns have slowed progress on passing legislation to make these systems mandatory.

The details

The Senate Commerce Committee is holding a hearing to highlight the NTSB's recommendations since 2008 to require all aircraft to have both a system that broadcasts the aircraft's location and speed (ADS-B out) and a system that can receive location data on nearby aircraft (ADS-B in). Currently, only the broadcasting system is required. If the American Airlines jet had been equipped with an ADS-B in system, the NTSB believes the pilots may have been able to avoid the Army helicopter that climbed into their path. However, the helicopter's ADS-B out system was not working properly, contributing to the crash.

  • The midair collision occurred on January 29, 2025.
  • The Senate has already unanimously approved a bill to require both ADS-B out and ADS-B in systems.
  • The Senate Commerce Committee hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

The players

Jennifer Homendy

NTSB Chairwoman, who will be the only witness at the Senate hearing.

Sean Duffy

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, father of crash victim

What’s next

The Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Thursday will review all 50 of the NTSB's recommendations to prevent another midair collision like the one that occurred in 2025. The hearing will also examine why the NTSB has been calling for the mandatory installation of ADS-B in and ADS-B out systems for nearly two decades.

The takeaway

This tragedy has renewed calls for urgent action on aviation safety reforms, particularly the implementation of advanced aircraft locator systems that could have prevented the midair collision. However, cost concerns remain a significant obstacle, as upgrading some aircraft could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, placing a heavy burden on airlines and general aviation pilots. Lawmakers must weigh the human cost of inaction against the financial impact on the industry to ensure a disaster like this never happens again.