Army Helicopter Lost Contact with Pentagon Tower, Triggering D.C. Airport Landing Aborts

The U.S. Army confirmed on Friday that military air traffic controllers temporarily lost contact with a Black Hawk helicopter for about 20 seconds as it neared the Pentagon. Due to the helicopter's flight path, airport officials at Reagan National were compelled to redirect two incoming commercial jets, prioritizing safety measures.

The event took place mere months following a tragic midair collision in January involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter, which resulted in the deaths of 67 individuals. This incident also comes on the heels of the FAA's recent introduction of new restrictions concerning military helicopter routes in the vicinity.

Brig. Gen. Matthew Braman, the head of Army aviation, informed The Associated Press that the disruption in communication was attributed to a temporary air traffic control antenna that had been improperly placed amid ongoing construction efforts. The antenna has been moved to the Pentagon's roof to enhance communication coverage.

In a development that adds to the situation's complexity, FAA controllers at the airport faced challenges in accurately pinpointing the Black Hawk's location in real time. Braman reported that the data feeds received by the FAA exhibited inconsistencies, with some deviations reaching as much as three-quarters of a mile, complicating the controllers' ability to track the helicopter accurately.

The Army has suspended all helicopter flights destined for the Pentagon as it collaborates with the FAA to resolve ongoing technical issues. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has advocated for a comprehensive modernization of the FAA’s outdated air traffic control systems, referencing recent incidents in other heavily trafficked areas such as Newark.

In a development that contradicts initial statements from the FAA regarding the helicopter's flight, Army-provided ADS-B data obtained by the Associated Press indicates that the aircraft was following its authorized flight path along the I-395 corridor and in the vicinity of the Pentagon.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 became the first commercial flight impacted when it was instructed to abort its landing because of the nearby Black Hawk helicopter. 

The Pentagon tower faced challenges in clearing the helicopter for landing due to a lost signal, necessitating the aircraft to circle overhead.

Recently, a Republic Airways Embraer E170 was instructed to abort its landing during the second approach, as airport controllers expressed uncertainty regarding the helicopter's location.

The Federal Aviation Administration has opted not to provide comments regarding the technical tracking issues, referencing the ongoing investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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