FAA Mandates Radar Separation for Helicopters and Planes After Deadly DC Midair Collision

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The Federal Aviation Administration announced new guidelines that require air traffic controllers to use radar, not just visual checks, to ensure helicopters maintain a safe distance from arriving and departing airplanes at more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports. This comes after a fatal midair collision near Washington, D.C. last year that killed 67 people, as well as recent near-misses involving helicopters and planes.

Why it matters

The new FAA guidelines are a direct response to the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C. in 2025 that killed 67 people, as well as other recent close calls between helicopters and airplanes around busy airports. The FAA determined that previous reliance on pilots to visually maintain separation was inadequate and contributed to safety risks.

The details

Under the new FAA guidelines, air traffic controllers must use radar to keep helicopters and airplanes apart by specific lateral or vertical distances. This requirement applies to more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports, extending a restriction already in place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA cited a February 2026 near-miss in San Antonio and a March 2026 incident in Burbank, California as examples that prompted the new rules.

• The January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter killed 67 people.
• On February 27, 2026, a police helicopter had to turn to avoid an American Airlines flight landing at San Antonio International Airport.
• On March 2, 2026, a helicopter had to turn away from a small aircraft cleared to arrive at California's Hollywood Burbank Airport.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The FAA's new guidelines requiring radar separation between helicopters and airplanes at more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports will go into effect immediately.