NTSB Deems One-Third of FAA's Post-Crash Safety Responses 'Unacceptable'

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has labeled the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) responses to 11 of 33 safety recommendations as "unacceptable." The recommendations followed the NTSB's investigation into a fatal 2025 mid-air collision near Washington that killed 67 people.

Post-Collision Recommendations Rejected

The NTSB's rebuke stems from the FAA's actions following the January 2025 crash involving an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The incident was the deadliest U.S. aviation disaster since 2001.

Following its investigation, the NTSB issued 33 recommendations to prevent a recurrence. The safety board labels an agency's response as "unacceptable" if the agency disagrees with the recommendation, proposes an alternative the NTSB deems insufficient, or fails to act in a timely manner.

Focus on Collision-Avoidance Technology

A key point of contention is the FAA's refusal to mandate a safety system known as ADS-B In. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated the system could have alerted the passenger plane pilot 59 seconds before the collision and the helicopter crew 48 seconds prior, according to Reuters.

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"How many more decades have to go by before we again and again and again have to recommend it after terrible tragedy?" Homendy told Reuters. The NTSB said the FAA did not indicate if it intends to write new rules requiring the technology.

FAA's Position and Legislative Context

In a letter seen by Reuters, the FAA detailed its current safety efforts, which include reviewing helicopter routes in six major cities and issuing a directive to keep planes and helicopters separate. However, the NTSB found these measures did not sufficiently address its core safety concerns.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told Reuters in July that the agency could advance the ADS-B In system without congressional action but would prefer legislative direction. In January, the NTSB concluded that "systemic failures" by the FAA, including its decision to allow helicopters to operate near the airport without adequate safeguards, led to the 2025 collision.