SOURCE :- THE AGE NEWS
By David Shepardson
Washington: US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy slammed the army after two commercial flights had to abort landings at a Washington airport because of a Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon.
Investigators have launched a probe after two planes were impeded this week on approach to Reagan Washington National Airport, where 67 people were killed in a midair collision between an army helicopter and a passenger jet in January.
Wreckage from the deadly plane crash in the Potomac River near the Reagan Washington National Airport in late January.Credit: AP
Duffy said the army had disregarded aviation safety rules.
“We just lost 67 souls! No more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians,” he posted on X on Friday, Washington time.
“Take a taxi or Uber – besides most VIPs have black car service.”
The latest incident involved a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 from Orlando, Florida, and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 from Boston, said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating.
They were instructed by air traffic control to “perform go-arounds” about 2.30pm on Thursday because of a “priority air transport” helicopter, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Following the January 29 midair collision of an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk that killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft, the FAA imposed permanent restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around Reagan National Airport.
The FAA is reviewing the army helicopter’s route and whether it violates an agreement with the army.
“It appears the Black Hawk operation did not proceed directly to the Pentagon Heliport. Instead it took a scenic route around the Pentagon,” an FAA memo said.
Senate Commerce Committee chair Ted Cruz said the army was “once again putting the travelling public at risk”.
“It’s time for the FAA to act swiftly and assert control over the national airspace so the army stops running air taxis for military officials.”
Delta said there were five crew and 97 passengers aboard its flight.
“Nothing is more important at Delta than the safety of our customers and people. We’ll co-operate with the FAA as they investigate,” the airline said.
Republic Airways did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Pentagon did not immediately comment. A person involved said investigators are reviewing the helicopter’s route and interactions with air traffic control.
A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that according to initial information, the military helicopter was doing an emergency evacuation rehearsal.
Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, said it was “outrageous … that the same army brigade again flew a helicopter too close to passenger jets” just three months after the deadly collision.
“It is far past time for Secretary [Pete] Hegseth and the FAA to give our airspace the security and safety attention it deserves,” she said.
The airport is just outside Washington in Virginia, but only six kilometres from Capitol Hill, making it popular with lawmakers, tourists and residents.
Reuters
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