House to Vote on Requiring Collision Avoidance Tech After Deadly Crash

Proposed legislation aims to prevent future midair collisions near busy airports.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on Tuesday on a bill that would require all aircraft to be equipped with technology to broadcast their locations and receive data on the location of other planes. This comes after a tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C. last year that killed 67 people. The bill, known as the ROTOR act, has the support of victims' families, pilots, flight attendants, and aerospace workers, but faces opposition from some House leaders who want a more comprehensive approach.

Why it matters

The proposed legislation is a direct response to the deadly midair crash that claimed 67 lives, including members of the figure skating community. Installing collision avoidance technology on all aircraft is seen as a critical safety measure to prevent similar tragedies in the future around busy airports.

The details

The ROTOR act would require all aircraft to have one system that broadcasts their location and another that receives data on the location of other planes. Currently, only the broadcasting system is mandatory. The House has also drafted an alternative bill that would have the FAA investigate the best technology before requiring a solution, but this has faced opposition from victims' families who say it doesn't address the most critical issue quickly enough.

  • The House is expected to vote on the ROTOR act on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.
  • The midair collision that killed 67 people occurred on January 29, 2025 near Washington, D.C.

The players

ROTOR act

A bill that would require all aircraft to be equipped with technology to broadcast their locations and receive data on the location of other planes.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

The federal agency that investigates transportation accidents and has been recommending the installation of collision avoidance technology since 2008.

Families of Flight 5342

A group representing the families of victims killed in the 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C.

Airlines for American

A trade group representing major U.S. airlines, which has endorsed the House alternative bill.

National Business Aviation Association

An organization representing business jet and small plane owners, which has also endorsed the House alternative bill.

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What they’re saying

“The measure of legislation is not how many items it addresses but how well it addresses the most critical ones. On the central question of how quickly and effectively aircraft will be required to carry collision mitigation technology, the two bills are materially different.”

— Families of Flight 5342

“The same risk that took our families' lives is still there today. And so it is so vital that we address that as soon as possible.”

— Rachel Feres, Cousin of crash victims

“The question is: How many more people need to die before we act? We have an obligation to fix what went wrong on January 29th. Not only must we do this for the 67 people who died, we must do this for all those who lost their lives in accidents we've investigated. We must do this for their families. We must do this for future generations... lives we can still save.”

— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chairwoman (X)

What’s next

The House is expected to vote on the ROTOR act on Tuesday, February 28, 2026. If it receives more than two-thirds support, the bill will move forward. The alternative House bill is not yet ready for a floor vote.

The takeaway

This vote represents a critical juncture in efforts to improve aviation safety and prevent future midair collisions around busy airports. The competing bills highlight the challenge of balancing comprehensive reform with the urgent need to implement proven collision avoidance technology as quickly as possible.