In a recent incident near Washington, D.C., a commercial jetliner and a military helicopter experienced a close call, prompting a temporary closure of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the event.
The incident involved Republic Airlines Flight 3281, originating from Columbus, Ohio, and a military helicopter operating from Joint Base Andrews. According to reports, the two aircraft came within approximately 950 feet of each other laterally while flying at the same altitude. This proximity triggered an audible alert in the jetliner's cockpit, leading the pilot to abort the initial landing attempt and circle around for a subsequent landing. Both aircraft landed safely without further incident.
Preliminary findings indicate that the passenger jet was descending toward Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport when the southbound military helicopter, flying along the east side of the Potomac River, briefly climbed to an altitude of 400 feet.
This ascent coincided with the jetliner's descent through the same altitude, resulting in the near miss. Both pilots were reportedly on the same radio frequency and had visual contact with each other.
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In response to the incident, authorities temporarily closed Reagan National Airport to assess safety protocols and ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members. The FAA and NTSB are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the close encounter and to implement measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
This event underscores the critical importance of strict adherence to flight protocols and the need for constant vigilance in air traffic control to maintain safety in increasingly congested airspaces.