NTSB Chair Criticizes Defense Bill, Cites Safety Risks Near DCA

The Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jennifer Homendy, has voiced strong opposition to a recent defense bill that she claims will compromise safety in the airspace surrounding Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The legislation, which spans over 3,000 pages and allocates $900 billion to the Department of Defense, includes provisions that would significantly reduce tracking requirements for military flights in the area.

One of the most controversial aspects of the bill is the allowance for US Army helicopters to operate with less oversight in the already congested airspace of DCA. This comes on the heels of a tragic midair collision on January 29, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 67 people. The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the accident involved an American Airlines Flight 5342 and a US Army UH-60 Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter, which deviated from its designated altitude.

Homendy described the provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as “shameful” and a “step backward” for aviation safety. During a press conference, she emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “This is shameful. It essentially gives the military unfettered access. It’s a safety whitewash.”

Concerns Over Military Flight Operations

The NDAA seeks to enable military aircraft to operate in DCA airspace while disabling modern tracking devices. This change would be authorized by military branch secretaries, contingent upon a “commercial aviation risk compatibility assessment.” However, Homendy expressed skepticism about the clarity and effectiveness of this assessment, stating that she could find no one who could explain it.

Members of the Senate Commerce Committee have voiced their concerns, urging the need for revisions to the NDAA before the defense budget is finalized. The Department of Defense, which has been rebranded as the “Department of War” under former President Donald Trump’s administration, did not consult with the NTSB or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before proposing these changes.

In the House of Representatives, Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the Armed Services panel, criticized the provisions that diminish congressional oversight. He warned that this could lead to a lack of accountability for military operations in the nation’s capital.

The airspace around DCA is notorious for its high volume of traffic, which includes both commercial and military flights. According to the NTSB, there were over 15,000 reported near-miss incidents between 2021 and 2024. The FAA had previously imposed restrictions on nonessential helicopter flights in the area following the fatal crash in January.

The Risk of Reducing Safety Measures

The NTSB has indicated that the proposed changes could reverse vital safety improvements made after the January collision. Currently, military aircraft are exempt from certain requirements that enhance situational awareness, such as utilizing Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) technology. This exemption poses risks not only to pilots but also to air traffic controllers working within one of the busiest airspaces in the United States.

Since 2011, the NTSB’s analysis shows at least one “close call” per month between commercial planes and helicopters operating near DCA. In May 2025, another helicopter incident forced two airliners to abort landings due to safety concerns, highlighting the ongoing dangers in the airspace.

The families of victims from the January crash and safety advocates are raising alarms about the NDAA’s potential to undo progress made in aviation safety. As discussions around the defense bill continue, the implications for air travel safety in the Washington, DC area remain a pressing concern for lawmakers and the public alike.