Washington, D.C.— Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), House Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation Ranking Member Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) wrote to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau with their concerns regarding the safety of aircraft operations in and around Washington National Airport (DCA) in the wake of recent tragic incidents and multiple close calls.
Given the continuing pattern of safety incidents at DCA following the tragic mid-air collision on January 29, the Ranking Members called for the FAA to take the following actions:
- Ensure that the required updated staffing targets at the DCA air traffic control tower are met and ensure that any necessary support roles are also fully staffed.
- Keep the hourly aircraft arrival rate at DCA at reduced levels, at least until the—
- DCA air traffic control tower is fully staffed up to such staffing targets; and
- FAA fully addresses the safety risks identified from the agency’s ongoing safety risk management panel (SRMP) review of DCA.
- Evaluate and modify any agreements with the Department of Defense and any other relevant government agencies pertaining to flight operations in the DCA capital region to ensure the safety of the flying public.
- Hold regular briefings for Congress about DCA, its operations, and any progress made in the agency’s review.
In addition to the above actions, the Ranking Members call on the FAA to expand its ongoing SRMP review of DCA to include an analysis of various additional factors, including congestion in the airspace, the ideal staffing levels of the air traffic control tower, outstanding National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations, aircraft safety technology equipage and communication standards and the general mental health of aviation professionals working or operating at DCA. To ensure safer skies for the flying public, the FAA must take these immediate actions.
To read the full letter, click here.
Background:
The following timeline outlines a sampling of concerning aviation incidents that have occurred at DCA over the last four months:
January 29, 2025 - Midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 approaching DCA and a United States Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, resulting in 67 fatalities.
March 28, 2025 - Near miss between Delta Airlines Flight 2983 departing DCA and Air Force T-38 Talon conducting a flyby of the Arlington National Cemetery.
April 10, 2025 - American Eagle Flight 5490 and American Eagle Flight 4522 made contact on a DCA taxiway.
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Contacts:
Peter True (Larsen), 202-924-0903
Bartholomew Sullivan (Cohen), 202-225-3265
Ben Garmisa (Duckworth), 202-224-2854