U.S. Bill Aims to Address Deconfliction Hazards After D.C. Mid-Air Crash

The bipartisan-sponsored ALERT Act addresses key safety recommendations following a fatal collision between a regional jet and a military helicopter near Reagan National Airport.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives attempts to address deconfliction hazards posed by mixed operations of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft in the airport and near-airport environments. The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026 was introduced following last month's NTSB final report and safety recommendations related to the fatal January 2025 midair collision of a Mitsubishi regional jet and a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk over the Potomac River, off the approach end of Runway 33 at Washington Reagan National Airport.

Why it matters

The bill addresses key safety issues highlighted in the NTSB report, including the need for improved collision avoidance technology, better helicopter route design and separation, and enhanced air traffic control training and procedures around busy airports like Reagan National. The legislation aims to prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.

The details

The ALERT Act addresses seven key areas encompassing all 50 recommendations in the NTSB report, including setting standards for next-generation collision avoidance technology, improving helicopter route design and separation, preventing loss of separation incidents, addressing defects in the FAA's safety culture, enhancing air traffic control training and procedures, strengthening airspace safety around Reagan National Airport, and repealing a section of a recent law that allowed military commanders more flexibility to operate aircraft around the airport.

  • The fatal midair collision occurred on January 29, 2025.
  • The NTSB released its final report and safety recommendations last month.

The players

Vertical Aviation International (VAI)

An industry group that expressed support for the ALERT Act.

National Business Aviation Association

An industry group that expressed support for the ALERT Act.

Regional Airline Association

An industry group that expressed support for the ALERT Act.

Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA)

A pilots' union that faulted the bill for not mandating ADS-B In technology.

U.S. House of Representatives

The legislative body that introduced the ALERT Act.

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What they’re saying

“Recently, the NTSB found that if the PSA 5342 regional jet had been equipped, the pilots would have had approximately one minute to identify the approaching helicopter, instead of 19 seconds. One minute versus 19 seconds. That difference could have saved 67 lives.”

— Capt Jason Ambrosi, President, Air Line Pilots Association International (Prepared statement)

What’s next

The House and Senate bills addressing deconfliction hazards could be combined later this year.

The takeaway

The ALERT Act represents a comprehensive legislative effort to address the safety issues highlighted by the tragic midair collision near Reagan National Airport, with the goal of preventing similar incidents in the future through improved technology, procedures, and oversight.