FAA Mandates Radar Separation for Helicopters in Busy Airspace After DCA Crash

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration announced March 18 a nationwide policy suspending visual separation between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in high-traffic Class B, Class C airspace and Terminal Radar Service Areas near major airports. Air traffic controllers must now use radar to enforce standard lateral or vertical separation distances.

The change builds on D.C.-specific restrictions implemented since January 2025, now extending to more than 150 busy U.S. airports. The policy follows a year-long safety review using AI-driven data analysis triggered by a mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January 2025 that killed 67 people — the deadliest U.S. aviation crash since 2001.

"Today, we are proactively mitigating risks before they affect the traveling public," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. "Following the mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, we identified an overreliance on pilot 'see and avoid' operations." The NTSB blamed the crash on "overreliance on visual separation" and the helicopter crew's failure to visually separate. Recent close calls, including incidents in San Antonio and Hollywood Burbank in February and March, further highlighted risks in high-traffic zones where helicopters cross arrival and departure paths.