NTSB chief presses Congress to approve aviation safety reforms

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board has urged Congress to end months of legislative delays and pass a major aviation safety package aimed at reducing the risk of deadly midair collisions. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said lawmakers already have clear recommendations from investigators and should move quickly to turn them into law.

Homendy said the agency has provided Congress with a detailed plan to strengthen aviation safety and prevent another disaster like the one that claimed dozens of lives near Washington last year. She stressed that the necessary reforms have been discussed for months and that it is now time for lawmakers to take action.

Her appeal comes after the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army helicopter near Washington, DC. The crash killed 67 people and became the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since 2001.

Following the tragedy, the House of Representatives approved a broad aviation safety bill in April with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 396 to 10 vote. The legislation includes dozens of recommendations made by investigators after the crash. The Senate had earlier passed its own proposal, known as the ROTOR Act, but the measure failed to secure enough support in the House under fast track voting procedures, leaving the reforms stalled.

According to the NTSB, the collision could have been prevented if both aircraft had been equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology, commonly known as ADS-B. The system allows aircraft to continuously share their position with air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft, improving awareness in busy airspace and reducing the risk of collisions.

Earlier this year, the NTSB concluded that failures within the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to the fatal accident. Investigators found that the FAA had allowed helicopters to operate too close to commercial flight paths near Washington’s airport without maintaining adequate separation. The agency was also criticized for failing to properly review safety data and for not acting on earlier recommendations to redirect helicopter traffic away from the area.

The House approved legislation would require most US military aircraft to be fitted with collision prevention technology by 2031. Fighter jets, bombers and drones would be exempt from the requirement. The bill also introduces new standards for collision mitigation systems on civilian airplanes and helicopters to improve safety across the aviation sector.

Lawmakers from both chambers are continuing negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation before a final bill can be approved.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford recently said the agency has been providing technical guidance to Congress throughout the legislative process. He noted that the FAA has the authority to expand the use of ADS-B technology without waiting for new legislation but said clear direction from Congress would provide a stronger framework for implementing long term safety improvements.

The NTSB believes the proposed reforms would significantly strengthen aviation safety and reduce the chances of another catastrophic midair collision. With negotiations continuing in Congress, transportation officials are urging lawmakers to finalize the legislation as soon as possible to better protect passengers, flight crews and military personnel.