Latest news with #militaryflyover
CNN
04-07-2025
- General
- CNN
Confusion over timing of a military flyover in March preceded dangerous close call at Washington D.C. area airport, NTSB finds
A change in timing of a military flyover at Arlington National Cemetery ended with four Air Force jets dangerously close to a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety board. CNN was the first to report on the close call. The formation of four T-38 trainer jets was scheduled to fly over the airport at 3:21 p.m. on March 28 on the way to the neighboring cemetery under the control of the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON. Flights taking off from national airport were being managed by a different team of air traffic controllers located in the tower at the airport. The airport was the site of a mid-air collision in January between a Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet which killed 67 people. In March, about 40 minutes before the flyover was to happen, the TRACON called the tower to confirm they were aware of the incoming military jets, according to air traffic control audio recordings provided to the NTSB by the Federal Aviation Administration. 'The (controller in charge) acknowledged and stated that they were waiting for a 'stop the departures time,'' the NTSB said. The planes would be over the 'target' at 3:21 and 'the stop time would be 17,' the TRACON responded, according to the report. 'If it changed, they would call back.' At 3:02 p.m., about five seconds after a shift change briefing concluded, the T-38's asked the TRACON to change their timing and the controller provided a target time of 3:15. However, 10 minutes later, the TRACON operations supervisor told the tower 'stop all departures hard time is now seventeen.' The tower continued to clear planes to take off, including Delta flight 2983, which started down the runway at 3:15 p.m. Twenty-two seconds later the TRACON supervisors called the tower and asked why they were allowing planes to depart. It was too late to halt the Delta flight's takeoff, so controllers warned the military planes to look out and keep away from it. Politicians have criticized the FAA for not having enough staff at the tower, and the NTSB preliminary report noted a staffing shortage during this incident. 'Due to staffing constraints' the tower operations supervisor had completed their shift at the time of the close call and a controller In charge was providing 'general oversight at the time of the event,' the report notes. The NTSB did not place blame, or identify the cause of the problem, which usually comes in the final report about 18 months after an incident.
CNN
03-07-2025
- General
- CNN
Confusion over timing of a military flyover in March preceded dangerous close call at Washington D.C. area airport, NTSB finds
Federal agencies Aviation newsFacebookTweetLink Follow A change in timing of a military flyover at Arlington National Cemetery ended with four Air Force jets dangerously close to a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety board. CNN was the first to report on the close call. The formation of four T-38 trainer jets was scheduled to fly over the airport at 3:21 p.m. on March 28 on the way to the neighboring cemetery under the control of the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON. Flights taking off from national airport were being managed by a different team of air traffic controllers located in the tower at the airport. The airport was the site of a mid-air collision in January between a Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet which killed 67 people. In March, about 40 minutes before the flyover was to happen, the TRACON called the tower to confirm they were aware of the incoming military jets, according to air traffic control audio recordings provided to the NTSB by the Federal Aviation Administration. 'The (controller in charge) acknowledged and stated that they were waiting for a 'stop the departures time,'' the NTSB said. The planes would be over the 'target' at 3:21 and 'the stop time would be 17,' the TRACON responded, according to the report. 'If it changed, they would call back.' At 3:02 p.m., about five seconds after a shift change briefing concluded, the T-38's asked the TRACON to change their timing and the controller provided a target time of 3:15. However, 10 minutes later, the TRACON operations supervisor told the tower 'stop all departures hard time is now seventeen.' The tower continued to clear planes to take off, including Delta flight 2983, which started down the runway at 3:15 p.m. Twenty-two seconds later the TRACON supervisors called the tower and asked why they were allowing planes to depart. It was too late to halt the Delta flight's takeoff, so controllers warned the military planes to look out and keep away from it. Politicians have criticized the FAA for not having enough staff at the tower, and the NTSB preliminary report noted a staffing shortage during this incident. 'Due to staffing constraints' the tower operations supervisor had completed their shift at the time of the close call and a controller In charge was providing 'general oversight at the time of the event,' the report notes. The NTSB did not place blame, or identify the cause of the problem, which usually comes in the final report about 18 months after an incident.
CNN
03-07-2025
- General
- CNN
Confusion over timing of a military flyover in March preceded dangerous close call at Washington D.C. area airport, NTSB finds
Federal agencies Aviation newsFacebookTweetLink Follow A change in timing of a military flyover at Arlington National Cemetery ended with four Air Force jets dangerously close to a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety board. CNN was the first to report on the close call. The formation of four T-38 trainer jets was scheduled to fly over the airport at 3:21 p.m. on March 28 on the way to the neighboring cemetery under the control of the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON. Flights taking off from national airport were being managed by a different team of air traffic controllers located in the tower at the airport. The airport was the site of a mid-air collision in January between a Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet which killed 67 people. In March, about 40 minutes before the flyover was to happen, the TRACON called the tower to confirm they were aware of the incoming military jets, according to air traffic control audio recordings provided to the NTSB by the Federal Aviation Administration. 'The (controller in charge) acknowledged and stated that they were waiting for a 'stop the departures time,'' the NTSB said. The planes would be over the 'target' at 3:21 and 'the stop time would be 17,' the TRACON responded, according to the report. 'If it changed, they would call back.' At 3:02 p.m., about five seconds after a shift change briefing concluded, the T-38's asked the TRACON to change their timing and the controller provided a target time of 3:15. However, 10 minutes later, the TRACON operations supervisor told the tower 'stop all departures hard time is now seventeen.' The tower continued to clear planes to take off, including Delta flight 2983, which started down the runway at 3:15 p.m. Twenty-two seconds later the TRACON supervisors called the tower and asked why they were allowing planes to depart. It was too late to halt the Delta flight's takeoff, so controllers warned the military planes to look out and keep away from it. Politicians have criticized the FAA for not having enough staff at the tower, and the NTSB preliminary report noted a staffing shortage during this incident. 'Due to staffing constraints' the tower operations supervisor had completed their shift at the time of the close call and a controller In charge was providing 'general oversight at the time of the event,' the report notes. The NTSB did not place blame, or identify the cause of the problem, which usually comes in the final report about 18 months after an incident.
Skift
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Skift
Reagan National Airport to Close for Army Parade — Expect Travel Delays
The parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, is expected to shut down Reagan National for several hours. Washington Reagan National Airport is expected to close for several hours on June 14 to accommodate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration, which will include military flyovers, fireworks, and parachute jumps. The closure could disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Thursday that it will issue temporary flight restrictions for the Washington, D.C. area. During the event, the FAA will implement traffic management initiativ
Washington Post
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Army's birthday bash will require D.C.'s National Airport to close
Reagan National Airport is expected to close for up to several hours on June 14 to accommodate military flyovers, parachute jumps and fireworks on the National Mall that are part of the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration, disrupting travel for thousands of commercial passengers. The celebration, which coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, includes flights by 50 Army helicopters above a military parade featuring tanks and troops. The Army's Golden Knights will parachute onto the Ellipse near the White House and present the American flag to Trump. A fireworks display also is in the works.
