WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation – today held a hearing with testimony from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford on the FAA’s progress in implementing safety recommendations following the midair collision between Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter on January 29, 2025.
After conducting a year-long investigation into the midair collision that resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued 50 safety recommendations, two-thirds of which were directed at the FAA.
“The United States maintains the safest aviation system in the world, but that record relies on constant vigilance, accountability and a willingness to act before warning signs become tragedies,” said Sen. Moran.“The NTSB’s investigation following the DCA crash raised serious concerns regarding helicopter routes, airspace design, situational awareness and the FAA’s ability to identify and respond to risks in one of the nation’s most complex aviation environments.”
“At the conclusion of its investigation, the board found that this accident was preventable,” continued Sen. Moran.“The purpose of today’s hearing is not to relitigate the accident. Instead, we are here to examine whether the FAA has responded with sufficient urgency to the systemic safety concerns identified by the NTSB and whether additional reforms are needed.”
Sen. Moran’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are as follows:
“Good afternoon. The subcommittee will come to order. Today’s hearing will examine the Federal Aviation Administration’s response to the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations following the tragic midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
“We will examine the lessons learned and what challenges still remain to prevent future collisions in our airspace system.
“The loss of 67 lives in the DCA crash originating from Wichita, Kansas, was a devastating tragedy for our state and the country.
“Families in Kansas and communities across the country continue to grieve the loss of loved ones who boarded a routine flight and never came home.
“The United States maintains the safest aviation system in the world, but that record relies on constant vigilance, accountability and a willingness to act before warning signs become tragedies.
“The NTSB’s investigation following the DCA crash raised serious concerns regarding helicopter routes, airspace design, situational awareness and the FAA’s ability to identify and respond to risks in one of the nation’s most complex aviation environments.
“At the conclusion of its investigation, the Board found that this accident was preventable.
“The purpose of today’s hearing is not to relitigate the accident. Instead, we are here to examine whether the FAA has responded with sufficient urgency to the systemic safety concerns identified by the NTSB and whether additional reforms are needed.
“We will examine several key questions, including:
“Whether the FAA has fully implemented the NTSB’s recommendations; how the FAA is identifying dangerous trends before they result in accidents; the steps being taken to modernize rotorcraft operations and expand collision-avoidance technology; and whether similar risks exist elsewhere in the national airspace system.
“We will also discuss broader aviation modernization efforts, including how technologies such as ADS-B In can improve real-time cockpit traffic awareness and how legislation such as the ROTOR Act could strengthen aviation safety, improve tracking capabilities and help reduce the risk of future midair collisions.
“We cannot ignore the condition of the air traffic control system itself. Staffing shortages, mandatory overtime and persistent controller fatigue continue to be a concern – particularly in complex airspace like the Washington, D.C. region.
“Congress has made significant investments in aviation modernization, including $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization and infrastructure improvements through last year’s Reconciliation bill.
“While this is a good step, funding alone is not enough. Modernization must be implemented effectively, identified risks must be acted on in a timely manner and there must be accountability when warning signs are missed.
“The loved ones of those who died on January 29, 2025, deserve to know that every step is being taken to make certain a tragedy like that never happens again. That responsibility belongs to all of us—regulators, industry, Congress and the aviation community.
“I appreciate Administrator Bedford appearing before the subcommittee today, and I look forward to his testimony on the FAA’s progress in implementing the NTSB’s recommendations and strengthening aviation safety nationwide.”
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