Midair collision update: Army helicopter had key tracking system turned off

• Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said a key safety system was turned off in the U.S. Army helicopter involved in the midair collision. There’s currently no indication of why was shut off.
• The FAA implemented new rules no longer allowing helicopters and airplanes to share space over the Potomac River.
• Elon Musk said DOGE will play a role in fixing FAA technology.

---

Full Story

There’s new information on the deadly mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport following a senate briefing with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. During the closed-door meeting, it was revealed a key safety system was turned off on the U.S. army helicopter involved in the crash.

Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz hosted the bipartisan briefing Thursday, Feb. 6.

What did senators find out at the meeting?

Cruz told reporters afterward it’s unclear why the helicopter turned off the Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, or ADS-B, which helps aircraft determine its position.

“This was a training mission, so there was no compelling national security reason for ADS-B to be turned off,” Cruz said.

FAA enforces new rules

The FAA is now enforcing stricter rules. Helicopters and airplanes are no longer allowed to share space over the Potomac River near the airport at least through March 31.

The FAA said the space will now be reserved for airplanes with some exceptions. If a medical, police, active air defense or presidential helicopter must fly in that space, civilian aircraft will be barred.

The plane’s flight data recorder indicated that it was struck at 325 feet by the helicopter and that prior to impact, there was a change in the plane’s pitch.

The collision killed all 67 people on board the two aircraft.

Cruz also said he had asked the FAA to conduct a review of helicopter routes near other congested airports.

What will DOGE’s role become in the FAA?

Meanwhile, lawmakers are being pressed on the role Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency should play in the FAA.

Musk posted on X Wednesday, Feb. 5 that DOGE will work to quote “make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”

With the support of President @realDonaldTrump, the @DOGE team will aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.

Just a few days ago, the FAA’s primary aircraft safety notification system failed for several hours!https://t.co/WHwNNBN0Zd https://t.co/fwOJ9BUBX5

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 5, 2025

His comment came after a system used by the FAA to send out critical safety alerts to pilots had an outage over the week, just days after the collision.

It’s unclear exactly what the group’s plans are for improving the nation’s aviation infrastructure and safety system. 

Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy confirmed on X he had spoken to the DOGE team about the new effort but didn’t provide any details.

Big News – Talked to the DOGE team. They are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.

— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 5, 2025

Sean Duffy vs. Hillary Clinton

Duffy’s post about DOGE ignited a back and forth with Hillary Clinton who criticized DOGE employees.

“They have no relevant experience. Most of them aren’t old enough to rent a car. And you’re going to let them mess with airline safety that’s already deteriorated on your watch?,” Clinton said.

Duffy responded, “Madam secretary, with all due respect, “experienced” Washington bureaucrats are the reason our nation’s infrastructure is crumbling. You need to sit this one out.”

Clinton responded again pointing out U.S. airlines had gone 16 years without fatal crashes until the Trump administration made changes within the FAA and Aviation Security Advisory Committee.

Duffy replied back, saying Clinton is reacting out of anger claiming doge is uncovering corruption linked to USAID and the Clinton family.

Duffy also criticized the Biden administration for misusing funds instead of putting money toward air traffic control.

There is currently no evidence that any decisions made by Trump contributed to the crash.

Aviation experts told PolitiFact there was simply too little time after Trump was sworn-in, less than 10 days, before the crash for any of his orders to have had an impact.