Latest news with #RonaldReaganAirport
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- General
- Bloomberg
A Single Air Controller Oversaw Helicopters, Planes During Fatal DC Crash
A single air traffic controller was overseeing both planes and helicopters in the crowded airspace above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during the midair crash in January that killed 67 people, investigators said. The second day of an investigative hearing into the collision kicked off Thursday with the US National Transportation Safety Board focusing on how air traffic was managed and the control tower staffed at the busy hub serving the nation's capital.
New York Times
16 hours ago
- New York Times
Key Takeaways from the D.C. Plane Crash Hearing
The opening day of the National Transportation Safety Board's marathon public hearings into the deadly midair crash between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines passenger jet in January offered new details that could explain why the two aircraft were on a collision course. The N.T.S.B. is not expected to issue their final conclusions and recommendations from the investigation until early next year. Still, the evidence, testimony, and materials that were released on Wednesday illustrated a number of problems that are likely to draw attention from regulators and lawmakers eager to close safety loopholes that allowed the fatal crash to occur. The hearing, which lasted more than 10 hours, was technical and at times testy, with the morning focused on the helicopter and the possibility that the pilot of Black Hawk was unable to know with precision just how high up in the air she was flying. The afternoon panels examined the crowded airspace around Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C., where the crash occurred. Hearings on Thursday and Friday are expected to delve deeper into air traffic control procedures at the airport, how the relevant agencies collect and assess safety data, and the role that advanced collision avoidance technology could play in ensuring such crashes don't occur in the future. Here are some of the takeaways from the hearing and the new documents released by the N.T.S.B. Investigators have zeroed in on whether the helicopter pilot was misled by her instruments. Data from the crash showed that at least one barometric altimeter, the main instrument that measures altitude in the Black Hawk helicopter, was recording a flying height 80 to 100 feet lower than its true altitude. And under testing, the N.T.S.B. found that the altimeters could be off by up to 130 feet on Black Hawks flying over the Potomac River, which the helicopter and jet were flying over when they collided. That could have caused the helicopter crew to believe they were flying at a safer, lower altitude when they were actually headed straight into the jet's path. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Wall Street Journal
a day ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Key Takeaway From the Reagan Air Crash Probe: Helicopter Had Faulty Altitude Data
An Army helicopter crew may have relied on incorrect altitude data before the aircraft crashed into an American Airlines regional jet in January, U.S. safety officials said Wednesday. Helicopter altitude readings that rely on barometric pressure were an early focus in the first of a three-day National Transportation Safety Board hearing into the midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The crash killed 67 people, and became the nation's deadliest aviation disaster in more than 15 years.
Forbes
18-07-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Flight Delays: Over 7,000 Flights Disrupted Thursday—Here's Where
Flights in the U.S. have been hampered by delays and cancellations Thursday, impacting over 7,000 flights as the latest issues for air travel during a week of significant disruptions. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had one of the highest numbers of flight cancellations ... More Thursday. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP) AFP via Getty Images There have been 6,670 flight delays Thursday as of p.m. EDT, according to data from FlightAware, after more than 8,500 Wednesday. Total cancellations numbered 358 as of Thursday evening, putting Thursday on pace to have far fewer than the more than 900 canceled flights Wednesday, when widespread thunderstorms peppered East Coast cities like Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Origin airports with the most delays include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which have all recorded over 200 delays Thursday. Origin airport cancellations have been led by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (32), LaGuardia Airport (28) and Newark Liberty International Airport (20). Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . 6,100. There have been at least 6,100 flight delays every day so far this week. Key Background Flight delays this week were initially spurred by flash flooding in the Northeast that brought one to two inches of rain to parts of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Flight disruptions rocketed Monday, reaching as high as 10,800 delays and over 2,600 cancellations that slammed LaGuardia, Reagan, Newark and Denver International Airport. Disruptions eased a bit Tuesday and Wednesday but still left at least 7,000 flights delayed and at least 700 others cancelled. Over 10,000 U.S. Flights Disrupted As Thunderstorms Pummel East Coast Monday (Forbes)
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Yahoo
Travelers can keep shoes on at airports: Here's what can't come through
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will permit travelers to keep their shoes on while going through screening at airports, rolling back a rule put in place almost 20 years ago. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes the TSA, is set to hold a press conference to formally announce the change on Tuesday at 5 p.m. EDT, saying the new policy will make screening 'easier for passengers, improve traveler satisfaction and reduce wait times.' The press conference will take place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and will be hosted by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The White House seemingly confirmed the change, with the press secretary Karoline Leavitt responding to a CBS News report on the shift in policy by saying 'Big news from @DHSgov!' on Tuesday morning. She included an emoji of a plane and a shoe. Travelers have been required by TSA to take off their shoes to screen for explosives since 2006 due to 'intelligence pointing to a continuing threat.' The rule was put in place years after Richard Reid, in December 2001, tried but failed to detonate bombs tucked in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. Passengers will still be required to pull out or take off other items to pass through TSA checkpoints. And there's a long list of items that can't come through at all. Here's what to know: Send it through the scanners Passengers going through TSA scanning have to remove electronics bigger than their phones, such as tablets and laptops, from their bags. They also have to remove their belts, particularly if they feature metal buckles, and take off their 'light' outerwear or bulky clothing, according to TSA. Light garment includes clothing that has a full front zipper or buttons, such as blazers, vests, sports coats and light jackets. Button shirts are excluded. Bulky clothing is considered that be loose or does not conform to the traveler's contour, including large sweaters, cardigans, ponchos and oversized pullover hoodies, per TSA. Passengers are asked to empty their pockets, placing their cell phones, keys, coins and other items in the bin to be screened. Travelers who are enrolled in TSA PreCheck can keep their shoes, light jackets and belts on, and keep their laptops in their bags. Limit liquids to 3.4 ounces Travelers can bring aerosols, creams, gels and pastes in their carry-on bag, but they cannot exceed 3.4 ounces for each item. No more than 3.4 ounces of bottled water, coffee and juices are allowed in carry-on bags. Solid food items can be placed in carry-on or checked bags. But liquid foods such as honey and gravy are subject to the 3.4-ounce limit, which also applies to salsa, sauces, creamy cheese and yogurt. Leave it at home Opened alcohol Alcoholic drinks with more than 24 percent, but not over 70 percent alcohol, are permitted in checked bags up to 1.3 gallons. They must be in unopened retail packaging. Weapons Weapons such as guns and ammunition, including cap and BB guns, are prohibited in carry-on bags. Stun guns and tasers are also prohibited, along with most types of knives, unless they have rounded blades, such as plastic cutlery and butter knives. Axes and pickaxes are also not allowed. Pepper spray and other types of defense sprays, along with tear gas, are not permitted on carry-on items. Baseball bats and fireworks are not permitted. Flammables Dynamite, firecrackers, hand grenades and fireworks are not allowed. One book of safety matches is allowed on carry-on bags, but all matches are prohibited in checked baggage, according to TSA. Most types of lighters are allowed on carry-on bags, but passengers have to take steps to prevent unintentional activation. This could include removing the battery from the lighter and putting it into a protective case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
