Recent collisions and crashes have raised concerns about safety.

by Nisha Khatri ‘26

In the last three months, incidents have raised questions over aviation safety. From a midair collision in Washington D.C. to a plane crash in Philadelphia and a near-collision at Chicago Midway Airport, apprehensive air travelers have reasons for concern. Security is also questionable, with a recent American Airline plane diversion and stowaways in a JetBlue plane at a Florida airport.

The tragic midair collision of the American Airlines regional jet and a Black Hawk military helicopter in Washington D.C. in late January dominated headlines, setting waves through the aviation industry and resulting in the deaths of 67 people. The helicopter was reportedly at an increased altitude of around 278 feet when the permissible altitude is 200 feet near the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the cockpit computers may have provided them with incorrect information about their flying height before the crash. Miscommunication may have also played a role, with pilots possibly missing a message from an air traffic controller warning them about the nearby plane. Experts for years have raised concerns about the levels of air traffic around Washington’s Reagan National Airport, and helicopters are now permanently banned from flying near the airport in hopes of preventing a similar incident.

A few days later, a new story emerged about a crash of a medical jet in Philadelphia, resulting in the deaths of all on board. The NTSB said the flight’s crew was in communication with the air traffic control with no signs of issues, and it has now been classified as an accident. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) further did not record the flight and may not have been for years, prompting concerns as a functional CVR is crucial for investigation and data.

At Chicago Midway Airport in late February, a near-collision sparked further concern. A FlexJet Challenger business jet entered the runway without authorization due to miscommunication, forcing the Southwest jet to circle then re-enter the landing. The Federal Aviation Administration has since met with general and business aviation groups to better ensure future safety.

Security concerns, along with technological concerns, are also on the rise. Originally travelling from New York to New Dehli, an American Airlines flight was diverted to Rome due to a bomb threat in February. The threat was sent through email and was reported by the crew, but nothing was found after inspection. Earlier in January, two dead teenage bodies were found in the wheel wall of a JetBlue plane. Authorities remain uncertain about how they entered the space, and given the bodies were decomposed, they were likely there for several flights. Incidents such as these raise questions about airport security measures and access to aircraft, underscoring the need for better surveillance.