In a tragic incident that has raised serious concerns about aviation safety, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) revealed that the Army Black Hawk helicopter involved in last week’s fatal midair collision near Reagan National Airport had its automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) system turned off at the time of the crash. The collision with an American Airlines passenger jet over the Potomac River claimed the lives of 67 people, marking one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent years.
During a briefing with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Cruz criticized the decision to deactivate the tracking system, stating: “This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off.”
For context, ADS-B is a cutting-edge surveillance technology that provides highly accurate, real-time positioning data to both air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft. While the Black Hawk’s traditional transponder made it visible on radar, ADS-B offers significantly greater precision, which could have been critical in preventing the collision.
The FAA confirmed that military aircraft are permitted to deactivate ADS-B, a policy in place since 2018. However, Cruz questioned the rationale, especially during routine training exercises.
“Sixty-seven souls lost their lives. We need to follow the evidence, determine exactly what caused this accident, and do everything possible to prevent future tragedies,” Cruz emphasized, as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.
To make matters worse, preliminary findings from the NTSB indicate that the Black Hawk’s crew may have been wearing night-vision goggles during the flight, potentially limiting their situational awareness. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy noted that there was no communication on the cockpit voice recorder confirming unaided flight, suggesting they relied solely on these goggles—a practice that requires strict protocols to ensure safety in shared airspace.
Adding to the scrutiny, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has also pressed the FAA on why military aircraft are allowed to operate with ADS-B deactivated, especially near busy commercial airspace like Reagan National.
In response to the incident, the FAA has imposed temporary flight restrictions for helicopters near Reagan National Airport, with increased oversight of mixed military-civilian operations.
Bottom line: This tragedy was preventable. With 67 lives lost, it’s clear that outdated policies and complacency played a role. Sen. Cruz is right—accountability is needed, and safety must come before bureaucratic excuses.
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