2 Planes Abort Landings as Army Helicopter Flies Near D.C. Airport

Two commercial planes were forced to abort their landings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Monday as an Army helicopter flew too close to the airport’s airspace.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when an Army helicopter was conducting a training exercise in the area. The helicopter strayed into the restricted airspace around the airport, prompting air traffic controllers to instruct two incoming flights to go around and try their landing again.

The first plane, a United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey, was just moments away from touching down when it was instructed to pull up and circle around for another approach. The second plane, a Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando, Florida, was also forced to go around as the helicopter continued to fly too close to the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and stated that they are investigating the matter. The agency also noted that they are working with the military to ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the future.

This is not the first time that a military aircraft has caused disruptions at Washington National Airport. In 2015, a gyrocopter flew into restricted airspace near the White House, causing the airport to be temporarily shut down. And in 2018, a military aircraft flew too close to the airport, causing a brief suspension of flights.

Incidents like these highlight the importance of strict adherence to airspace regulations, especially in sensitive areas like Washington, D.C. Air traffic controllers and pilots must always be vigilant and ready to take action to ensure the safety of all passengers and aircraft in the airspace.

Fortunately, in this case, both planes were able to safely land after their go-arounds, and there were no reported injuries or damage. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when military aircraft stray into restricted airspace.

The FAA will continue to investigate the incident and work with the military to prevent similar occurrences in the future. In the meantime, air traffic controllers and pilots at Washington National Airport will remain vigilant to ensure the safety of all flights in and out of the nation’s capital.