Confusion in D.C. skies as Army Black Hawk loses contact with air traffic controllers — sparking major safety concerns
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a serious breakdown of air safety protocols, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter temporarily lost contact with air traffic control during a May 1 flight near the Pentagon—forcing two commercial passenger jets to abort landings at Reagan National Airport.
Brigadier General Matthew Braman, the Army’s top aviation official, admitted that for approximately 20 critical seconds, the helicopter was not in communication with controllers. The lapse was blamed on a misplaced antenna, which has since been moved to the Pentagon’s rooftop to restore proper coverage.
“It certainly led to confusion of air traffic control of where they were,” said Gen. Braman.
FAA Silent as Military Transmits False Position Data
The helicopter also transmitted inaccurate GPS data, showing its position up to three-quarters of a mile off-course, adding to the confusion. That error placed lives at risk in one of America’s most restricted and sensitive airspaces.
Despite the near-disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has refused to issue a public comment. The silence follows mounting criticism over FAA missteps and lax oversight—concerns that have grown under the current administration.
Commercial Jets Forced to Abort Landings in D.C.
According to officials, a Delta Airlines Airbus A319 was forced to abort its landing when both it and the Black Hawk were set to enter the Pentagon’s airspace at nearly the same moment. A second aircraft, a Republic Airways Embraer E170, was also forced to scrub its approach due to ongoing confusion about the helicopter’s location.
All military helicopter flights in and out of the Pentagon have been suspended since the incident.
Midair Collision in January Still Fresh in Minds
This latest scare comes just months after a tragic January midair collision over the Potomac River involving another Army helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet. That disaster killed 67 people and led to a permanent ban on helicopters flying the same dangerous approach route.
The FAA only discovered after the deadly crash that a critical emergency hotline between the Pentagon and Reagan Airport controllers had been out of service since March 2022—a fact revealed during Senate testimony by FAA deputy COO Franklin McIntosh.
FAA Blamed Helicopter for “Scenic Route” — But Data Disagrees
In an early attempt to downplay the severity, one FAA official suggested the Army helicopter had taken a “scenic route” rather than following a direct approach. However, flight data reviewed by the Associated Press shows the helicopter was mostly on course, raising further concerns about the FAA’s credibility.
Conservatives Demand Accountability
This series of failures—lost communication, faulty data transmission, and outdated infrastructure—highlights a growing concern under President Trump’s second term: the urgent need to restore discipline, competence, and transparency across federal agencies.
Veterans groups, aviation watchdogs, and members of Congress are calling for immediate reform within the FAA and tighter oversight of military-civilian air coordination.