NTSB Opposes NDAA Provision Allowing Military Aircraft in DC Airspace, Citing Safety Concerns
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has expressed strong opposition to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that permits military aircraft to operate training missions in Washington D.C. airspace without broadcasting their position. This provision, included in the $900 billion NDAA, has raised concerns following a fatal mid-air collision in January 2025 between an American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in 67 deaths. The NTSB, led by Chair Jennifer Homendy, argues that this provision undermines safety improvements made after the collision. The agency has urged Congress to remove this loophole and instead adopt the ROTOR Act, which mandates military aircraft to communicate their position to prevent future tragedies. 
