Helicopter routes near Reagan airport restricted after crash, reports say
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it will indefinitely restrict helicopter flights near Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport, multiple outlets reported.
The big picture: The move comes after a deadly collision between a American Airlines passenger flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter this week killed 67 people — America's deadliest aviation crash in decades.
- The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, and its exact cause is unknown at this time.
State of play: The FAA will close two low-altitude helicopter routes near the airport to most choppers, with exceptions being made for police and medical helicopters, Reuters reported.
- Helicopter flights through some of the airspace affected by the crash had already been restricted due to the ongoing recovery efforts, per AP.
- The two impacted corridors run under or parallel to the airport's flight paths, according to AP.
- The FAA did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Our thought bubble, from Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick: There's been no official word from the FAA to pilots on any changes as of Friday afternoon. Charts used by helicopter pilots in the Washington, D.C., area aren't due to be updated until Feb. 20, but they could be changed sooner.
Go deeper: What to know about the victims of the D.C. plane crash
