A former air traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has revealed systemic safety concerns that preceded the January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines flight and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which killed all 67 passengers aboard. Emily Hanoka, who worked at the airport for nearly a decade, told 60 Minutes that controllers had repeatedly warned of risks in the congested airspace, including near-misses between commercial planes and military helicopters.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed 85 near-miss incidents between 2021 and 2024 at the airport. Just one day before the fatal crash, two separate passenger jets had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with Army helicopters. Hanoka stated that controllers had raised alarms for years, but recommendations were often ignored.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Systemic Concerns
Hanoka described the airport’s airspace as dangerously congested, with heavy traffic from passenger jets, military helicopters, police, and medical flights. She noted that Reagan National, owned by the federal government, faced unique challenges due to congressional oversight of air traffic management.
Recent Incidents
The crash occurred amid broader aviation safety concerns, including a recent collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport that injured dozens. Hanoka emphasized that the system had worked until it failed catastrophically.
Families’ Perspectives
Seven widows of passengers on Flight 5342 shared their grief, highlighting the personal toll of the disaster. The men, who were work colleagues, had been on a hunting trip before the crash.
FAA Response
The FAA has not publicly commented on the specific warnings raised by Hanoka, but the NTSB’s report underscores long-standing safety concerns at the airport.