Overdue: Army Suspends Helicopter Flights Near DCA

Better late than never, I guess?

Army suspends Pentagon helicopter flights, at last

Politico reports how the Army has today suspended helicopter flights into the Pentagon, near Washington National Airport (DCA). This suspension impacts helicopter operations out of the 12th Aviation Battalion, which is tasked with evacuating political VIPs in the event of an emergency.

This suspension is pending an internal inquiry, so there’s no indication that this will be permanent. But hey, something is better than nothing, right? One certainly hopes that these flights will only resume once new procedures are put in place that ensure our skies are safe.

In late January 2025, we saw a tragic accident at DCA, where a Black Hawk helicopter crashed into an American Eagle CRJ-700, claiming 67 lives. Just last week, we saw a Black Hawk helicopter go off course near DCA while approaching the Pentagon, causing go arounds for two aircraft. Both of those incidents involved the 12th Aviation Battalion.

In response to last week’s incident, an Army spokesperson has said that the helicopter flight was conducted “in accordance with published FAA flight routes,” and that the controllers had to take action to “ensure the appropriate deconfliction of airspace.” The spokesperson also reiterated that the Army “remains committed to aviation safety and conducting flight operations within all approved guidelines and procedures.”

Talk about a rare bipartisan issue!

Honestly, what can people across the political spectrum agree on nowadays? Not a whole lot. I mean, we don’t even agree on whether it’s funny to joke about running for Pope, days after the Pope dies.

But here’s something people on both sides of the aisle can agree on — keep helicopters the heck away from DCA’s airspace. It’s time to prioritize the safety of the actual traveling public over these theoretical evacuation scenarios that the Army keeps practicing for.

In response to last week’s close call, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed outrage, calling the incident “unacceptable,” and stating that helicopter restrictions are “crystal clear.” Duffy said he’d talk to the Department of Defense to “ask why the hell our rules were disregarded.”

He concluded 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.” While I think he’s a little confused about the purpose of these flights, I agree with the takeaway, and I commend him for obviously having an impact in adding these new restrictions.

Senator Ted Cruz also chimed in, saying that “the Army is once again putting the traveling public at risk,” and encouraging the FAA “to act swiftly and assert control over the national airspace so the Army stops running air taxis for military officials near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”

You tell ’em, Sean and Ted!

Bottom line

The Army has finally suspended Pentagon helicopter flights, given the risk this poses to DCA. This follows yet another close call at the airport, which sent two planes on a go around, as a Black Hawk helicopter flew off course. This seems like a sensible change, and I hope these flights aren’t restored until some material change is made to procedures.

What do you make of the Army suspending helicopter flights near DCA?