NTSB "Vehemently Opposes" Section of NDAA Repealing DC Airspace Safety Changes

[elbmc1969]

(The fatal 2025 collision over the Potomac between the Blackhawk and the the American Airlines jet is "the midair collision" in question.)

The NTSB vehemently opposes Section 373 of the National Defense Authorization Act or NDAA. This section, to the lay reader, is drafted to seemingly enhance safety. I want to be very clear that it does not in any way enhance safety. In fact, it reverses safety changes made after the midair collision, after issuance of our urgent safety recommendations, after the Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy rightfully implemented our urgent safety recommendations, and essentially gives the military unfettered access to the crowded and complex DC airspace. In fact, it would allow the Secretary of any military department, generals, flag officials, to allow training missions in the DC airspace to take place without key safety reforms put in place after the January twenty-ninth midair collision. This is a significant, significant safety setback. It represents an unacceptable risk to the flying public, to commercial and military aircraft, crews, and to the residents in the region. It's also an unthinkable dismissal of our investigation. And of 67 families, 67 families who lost loved ones in a tragedy that was entirely preventable. This is shameful. It is shameful. We should be working together in partnership to prevent the next accident, not inviting history to repeat itself by recreating the same conditions that were in place on January 29th.

Brief statement on YT:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFAyD2Xmxpc
Video of full statement: NTSB Chair News Conference on Military Helicopter Safety Provisions In National Defense Bill

Letter to the Armed Services Committees: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/Documents/National Defense Authorization Act.pdf

 

[MiTasol]

That is one very powerful "resignation" statement.

Note the link to the letter is broken for me.

 

[elbmc1969]

That is one very powerful "resignation" statement.

Note the link to the letter is broken for me.

Link fixed! https://www.ntsb.gov/news/Documents/National%20Defense%20Authorization%20Act.pdf

 

[MiTasol]

Thanks for the try. Maybe it is geo blocked as still dead here.