Army report cites systemic failures in fatal D.C. collision

The U.S. Army concluded that systemic safety failures contributed to the January 29, 2025, midair collision near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people, according to an investigation made public Thursday. The crash involved an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet, Flight 5342. The report, dated May 14, 2026, describes failures across several layers of risk management. It says broken radio communications, inaccurate altitude readings, limited visibility through night-vision goggles and gusty winds with turbulence impaired the helicopter crew’s ability to identify and avoid the jet. The report also cites weaknesses in procedures and technical safeguards. Investigators found that the Black Hawk was not transmitting its location during the flight. The Army report recommends wider use of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment, which can transmit an aircraft’s position and receive information about nearby traffic. It also calls for a stronger safety-management system to identify and monitor potential collision risks involving Army and civilian aircraft.