The U.S. Army has paused helicopter flights near Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan National Airport after two commercial planes were forced to abort landings last week due to an Army Black Hawk helicopter flying to the Pentagon. Following the incidents on Thursday, the commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion ordered a halt to helicopter operations around the airport. The pause began on Friday, according to Army officials. This decision comes after the January midair collision between a Black Hawk and a passenger jet near the airport, which resulted in 67 fatalities.

The unit has resumed flying in the greater Washington, D.C., area, and plans to gradually increase flights over the next four weeks. The close call on Thursday involved a Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 and a Republic Airways Embraer E170, which were instructed by air traffic control to perform go-arounds due to a priority air transport helicopter. The Black Hawk helicopters of the 12th Battalion provide transport services to top Pentagon officials.

Following the January crash, the FAA prohibited helicopters from flying in the same airspace as planes near the airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA are investigating the recent close call. The Army stated that the Black Hawk was following approved FAA routes and air traffic control instructions when it was directed by Pentagon control to go around. However, helicopter traffic remains a concern, as evidenced by another incident on Sunday when three flights were told to go around due to a police helicopter on an urgent mission. The NTSB had previously raised concerns about the frequency of close calls near the airport, noting that the FAA should have taken action earlier. Additionally, Newark Liberty International Airport faced significant flight delays on Monday due to air traffic controller shortages and poor weather.