Six months have passed since the tragic midair collision over the Potomac River that claimed the lives of 67 individuals, prompting lawmakers to take measures aimed at enhancing aviation safety as the investigation continues.
On Tuesday, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to announce a new initiative known as the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform, or the Rotor Act.
“Today is an auspicious day for aviation safety, marked by a renewed commitment to ensuring that American skies remain as safe as possible,” Cruz stated.
He characterized the Rotor Act as a “commonsense step forward in aviation safety reform,” which would mandate the adoption of crucial flight tracking technologies—specifically, ADS-B Out and ADS-B In—across all aircraft, whether military or civilian.
Cruz emphasized the benefits of such technology, stating, “This allows aircraft to broadcast their positions and to receive the positions of others in real time, making it more efficient than current methodologies. It provides pilots and air traffic control with a clear and immediate view of ongoing air traffic.”
Secretary Duffy echoed Cruz’s sentiments, noting the alarming complacency in aviation safety in recent years and the “unacceptable” missed warnings that have surfaced.
“We cannot afford to allow special exemptions for military training aircraft operating in congested airspace. Every aircraft near commercial traffic must adhere to established safety protocols, no exceptions, no excuses,” Cruz asserted.
Duffy lamented the past negligence in addressing potential risks, stating, “In the past, leaders became complacent. We’ve seen warnings about near misses in the DC airspace, which is simply unacceptable.”
Families of the victims of Flight 5342, which was involved in the collision, have voiced their support for the Rotor Act. Doug Lane, who lost his wife and teenage son in the accident, expressed that the legislation addresses many of the concerns and priorities the families have advocated since the crash six months ago.
“This is not about politics for us; this is about saving lives,” Lane said, conveying the shared sentiment among families affected by the tragedy.
Tim and Sherry Lilly, parents of the first officer aboard Flight 5342, reflected on the profound impact the incident has had on their lives while calling for imperative changes in aviation safety.
“Today marks six months since a devastating event in our family’s journey. We are here to ensure that no other families have to suffer such a tragedy,” they declared.
Looking ahead, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to convene a three-day investigative hearing regarding the deadly collision starting Wednesday.
Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stated that the board would engage in detailed discussions regarding multiple facets of the investigation, emphasizing the thoroughness required to ascertain the causes of the crash.
The hearing will be available for public viewing on FOX LOCAL and via the FOX 5 DC YouTube page.
To recap the events that led to this push for reform: On January 29, American Airlines Flight 5342 was preparing for its landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport when air traffic controllers suggested that the pilots land on a shorter runway. After confirming their ability to do so, the plane was cleared for landing on Runway 33.
In the moments leading up to the crash, an air traffic controller asked a Black Hawk helicopter if it could see the approaching plane, and the situation escalated quickly as another instruction was relayed moments before the two aircraft collided.
The tragic disaster resulted in the fatalities of all 67 individuals on board: 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the American Eagle jet, along with the three personnel on the military helicopter.
This incident has been marked as the deadliest air disaster in the United States in nearly 25 years, underscoring the urgent need for reform in aviation safety practices.
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