Absurd: Black Hawk Helicopter Goes Off Course, Causes DCA Go Arounds

Just over three months ago, we saw a tragic accident at Washington National Airport (DCA), where a Black Hawk helicopter crashed into an American Eagle CRJ-700, claiming 67 lives. This week, we’ve seen yet another close call at the airport, as a Black Hawk helicopter went off course near the airport, causing two planes to go around. The complete lack of regard for the safety of civilians among some in the military is mind-boggling, and there need to be consequences.

Two planes perform go arounds to avoid Black Hawk

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, two commercial jets on approach to DCA had to perform last minute go arounds, as a Black Hawk helicopter went off course, and got too close to traffic. Specifically:

• Delta flight DL5825, from Boston (BOS), was operated by a Republic Airways Embraer EMB-170, and was on final approach, descending through around 450 feet, when the crew was instructed to go around
• Delta flight DL1671, from Orlando (MCO), was operated by an Airbus A319, and was on final approach, descending through around 700 feet, when the crew was instructed to go around

According to aircraft tracking services, the closest distance between one of the jets and the helicopter was 0.4 miles horizontally and just 200 feet vertically. That’s way too close for comfort. This was reportedly a training flight, just as was the case with the fatal accident back in late January.

After performing go arounds, both aircraft landed at the airport around 10 minutes later, without further incident.

So, what caused this? According to the preliminary report, the helicopter “did not proceed directly to the Pentagon Heliport, instead it took a scenic route around the Pentagon versus proceeding directly from the west to the heliport.”

In response to this, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued the following statement:

“Air traffic control instructed Delta Air lines Flight 1671 and Republic Airways Flight 5825 to perform go-arounds at the Reagan Washington National Airport due to a Priority Air Transport helicopter inbound to the Pentagon Army Heliport. The FAA is investigating the event that occurred around 2:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 1.”

Meanwhile the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued the following statement:

“NTSB investigating Thursday’s incidents at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in which a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170 were instructed by air traffic control to perform go-arounds due to a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter inbound to the Pentagon.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is furious

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is outraged about this close call, and took to Twitter/X to address it, calling the incident “unacceptable,” and stating that helicopter restrictions are “crystal clear.” Duffy says he’ll talk to the Department of Defense to “ask why the hell our rules were disregarded.”

He concludes by suggesting that “no more helicopter rides for VIPs or unnecessary training in a congested DCA airspace full of civilians,” and to “take a taxi or Uber – besides most VIPs have black car service.”

Okay, it’s a bit of an odd take, because these incidents seem to involve training flights, so it’s not a VIP situation, or something that could be replaced with Uber. That being said, I completely agree with his ire. It’s sickening to see such disregard for the safety of civilians.

Either the helicopter pilots are just clueless regarding which airspace they can use, or they just don’t care about their own safety and the safety of others. I don’t know which would be worse, but take your pick.

Bottom line

A Black Hawk helicopter has once again caused issues in the airspace around DCA, as two aircraft on final approach had to perform go arounds at the last minute. The helicopter reportedly had a minimum distance of 0.4 miles horizontally and just 200 feet vertically.

This is the same time type of helicopter involved in the fatal accident in late January, and the preliminary report suggests that the helicopter was supposed to proceed to the Pentagon Heliport, but instead took a scenic route. This incident is now being investigated, and the Transportation Secretary is understandably angry.

What do you make of this Black Hawk DCA helicopter go around situation?