After Tragic Mid-Air Collision Congressmen Amo, Estes Unveil Bipartisan Call for Audit of D.C. Airspace
The horrific passenger jet crash on January 29, 2025, involved a flight originating in Kansas and killed Rhode Island Mother and Son
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Congressman Ron Estes (R-KS) are calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Acting Inspector General Mitch Behm to audit the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of airspace operations at Washington National Airport (DCA) following the horrific mid-air crash of a passenger jet and U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025.
Congressmen Amo and Estes write:
“The FAA plays a critical role in regulating and managing the U.S. National Airspace System. We have one of the busiest and most complex aviation networks with over 45,000 flights operating in our country daily. That is why this crash raises serious questions about the effectiveness of FAA airspace management, communication processes, and deconfliction procedures in one of our nation’s most sensitive and congested aviation corridors.”
“We respectfully request your office audit the FAA’s oversight of airspace operations at and around DCA, and the FAA’s procedures for managing military aircraft operating within civilian-controlled airspace.”
Read Bi-partisan Amo, Estes Letter Here.
BACKGROUND
On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter as the passenger jet approached DCA.
3 servicemembers operating the helicopter, and all 64 passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight were killed in the collision, including Rhode Island residents Christine and Spencer Lane. The mother and son were traveling with the Boston Skating Club group returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships where Spencer had competed.
On May 23, 2025, Congressmen Amo, Subramanyam, and Beyer led 16 of their colleagues in requesting that the Department of Transportation facilitate an independent review of Washington, DC airspace as part of the Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2026 transportation funding bill.
On March 3, 2025, Congressman Amo supported the House passage of a resolution to commemorate the victims.
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