Close calls at Reagan National Airport raise safety concerns

A review of government records reveals at least 10 near misses at Reagan National Airport in recent years, raising concerns about aviation safety.

Recovery teams search the wreckage after an American Airlines plane crashed into the Potomac River while approaching the airport on January 31, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Adila Ghina

Before the deadly plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, government records reveal that the airport has experienced at least 10 close calls over the past three years. These incidents, highlight ongoing aviation safety concerns and raise questions about air traffic control practices at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

Among the most alarming incidents occurred in April 2023 when a Southwest Airlines flight was instructed to cross the same runway where a JetBlue Airways plane had been cleared for takeoff. A controller, realizing the imminent danger, urgently ordered the JetBlue pilots to abort their takeoff. According to a preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety report, the two planes came within 312 feet of each other, a dangerously close distance. The report also noted that the controller responsible for clearing the Southwest plane failed to coordinate with the controller directing the JetBlue aircraft, creating a high-risk situation.

Just a month later, another incident at Reagan National underscored the ongoing safety risks. An American Airlines jet was given clearance for takeoff while a private plane was simultaneously permitted to land on an intersecting runway. As the American Airlines plane accelerated down the runway, the controller abruptly canceled the takeoff. However, by the time the private jet received instructions to abort its landing, it had already touched down. The FAA’s preliminary findings indicated that the controller had not alerted either aircraft about the other, leading to a situation where the two planes came within approximately 1,600 feet of each other—far closer than standard safety margins.

FAA records reveal ongoing safety risks

These incidents are now part of a public database maintained by the FAA, which tracks runway incursions nationwide. While no 2024 incidents at Reagan National have been classified as serious enough to pose an immediate collision threat, the frequency of past close calls remains a significant concern.

A broader investigation into aviation safety by The New York Times in 2023 found that near misses involving commercial airlines occur multiple times each week across the United States. These incidents often take place at or near major airports and are typically caused by pilot or air traffic controller errors.

FAA reports obtained by The New York Times in 2023 revealed that there were 503 air traffic control lapses categorized as “significant” during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. This represented a 65% increase from the previous year, even as overall air traffic rose by just 4%.

Despite the growing number of reported safety lapses, the FAA has not publicly commented on these incidents at Reagan National. The agency generally issues statements about major aviation incidents that attract public attention but does not provide real-time updates on close calls unless they are deemed severe. The database tracking runway incursions often experiences a delay before new incidents appear, making it difficult for the public to assess ongoing safety risks.

Near misses involving helicopters at Reagan National

In addition to runway incidents, concerns have been raised about helicopter activity near Reagan National Airport. A separate NASA-maintained database, which collects confidential safety reports from pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation professionals, contains multiple accounts of near collisions between passenger jets and helicopters in recent years.

One such incident occurred in April 2024, when an airline captain reported nearly crashing into a helicopter while approaching Reagan National. As the commercial jet was preparing to land, its anti-collision warning system alerted pilots to a helicopter flying just 300 feet below, climbing at a slow rate. The pilots, who had not been informed by air traffic control about the helicopter’s presence, had to quickly maneuver away from a potential disaster. The captain later noted that the helicopter was not visible to the pilots, making the situation even more dangerous.

The safety report filed after the incident included a stark warning: increased separation between landing aircraft and helicopters flying along the Potomac River near Reagan National was necessary to prevent future accidents.

A similar incident took place in October 2022 when an airline captain reported a near collision with a helicopter lifting off from a nearby hospital. The jet’s anti-collision system again issued an emergency alert, prompting pilots to quickly ascend to avoid a crash. The captain estimated that the two aircraft came within 300 feet of each other—a dangerously close distance in aviation terms.

Growing concerns over aviation safety

The series of close calls at Reagan National mirrors a broader pattern of aviation safety concerns across the country. While commercial air travel remains statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, the increasing number of near misses raises questions about whether current safety protocols are sufficient.

Experts point to several factors contributing to the rising number of close calls, including increased air traffic, outdated air traffic control infrastructure, and human error. The FAA has made efforts to address these issues, but the sharp increase in reported incidents suggests that more needs to be done to improve safety oversight.

The FAA’s reluctance to provide detailed information on specific incidents further complicates efforts to assess aviation safety risks. While the agency maintains a public database of runway incursions, the limited details available make it difficult to determine the severity and frequency of close calls at specific airports like Reagan National.

What’s next for Reagan National and aviation safety?

As scrutiny over aviation safety intensifies, regulators face mounting pressure to implement stronger measures to prevent near misses. The FAA has pledged to improve air traffic control staffing levels and invest in upgraded technology, but industry experts argue that more immediate action is necessary.

For passengers flying through Reagan National, these incidents serve as a reminder that even the busiest airports are not immune to safety risks. While major accidents remain rare, the growing number of close calls underscores the need for heightened vigilance from both air traffic controllers and pilots.

As investigations into aviation safety continue, the hope is that increased awareness and policy changes will help reduce the risk of future near collisions—ensuring that Reagan National, and airports across the country, maintain the highest safety standards possible.