Virginia Lawmakers Raise Safety Concerns Over Aircraft Safety After Fatal D.C. Crash

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WAVY) — On Dec. 10, U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, Suhas Subramanyam, James Walkinshaw, Bobby Scott, Jennifer McClellan and Eugene Vindman, members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, issued a statement regarding Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026.

The section addresses manned rotary-wing aircraft safety in the wake of the Jan. 29, 2025, midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people.

The lawmakers said they share concerns raised by the Families of Flight 5342 and the National Transportation Safety Board over Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act, citing safety risks in the airspace around Reagan National Airport following January’s fatal collision.

Congress said the provision allows waivers for training flights that could further congest already crowded airspace.

Congress stated, “This provision falls short of NTSB’s preliminary safety recommendations and omits changes that are essential to improve visibility, safety and communications between military and civilian aircraft in D.C. airspace. Further action is needed to prevent a repetition of the mistakes that led to this incident. We will continue working as quickly as possible with our colleagues and transportation officials to get this right before any waivers are issued and to ensure air safety in the region.”