Chairman Cruz Announces February 12^th Hearing on NSTB Recommendations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a full committee hearing titled “The NTSB Final Report on the DCA Midair Collision” on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 am EST. Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its findings, probable cause, and safety recommendations following the January 29, 2025 midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.

This hearing will examine the NTSB investigation’s conclusions and recommendations addressing airspace design, ADS-B requirements, controller procedures, and military aviation safety governance. Chairman Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) bipartisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, which the Senate passed unanimously in December, would enact NTSB’s key recommendations prompted by the midair collision.

Upon announcing the hearing, Sen. Cruz said:

“Chairwoman Homendy and the NTSB did remarkable work on the systemic and immediate failures that led to the tragic 2025 midair collision. The NTSB findings and recommendations make it clear: to make flying safer, the House must pass the bipartisan ROTOR Act. The NTSB has called for aircraft to broadcast and receive real-time location reports 18 times over the past two decades. I am committed to ensuring that not one more life is lost for us to learn this lesson."

Witness:

• Hon. Jennifer Homendy, Chairwoman, National Transportation Safety Board

Hearing Details:

WHAT: Full Committee Hearing titled “The NTSB Final Report on the DCA Midair Collision”

DATE: Thursday, February 12, 2026

TIME: 10:00 AM EST

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee web site and YouTube.

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee should contact their respective media gallery to RSVP.

• Senate Daily Press: 202-224-0241 or senate_press_gallery@saa.senate.gov
• Senate Periodical Press: 202-224-0265 or periodicals@saa.senate.gov
• Senate Photographers: 202-224-6548 or press_photo@saa.senate.gov
• Senate Radio/TV: 202-224-6421

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