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FAA reopens two runways at DCA following helicopter and jet mid-air collision

American Eagle and American Airlines planes taxi at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on February 6, 2025 in Arlington, Va. The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened two of the airport's runways following the January 29 mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that was landing at DCA.
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American Eagle and American Airlines planes taxi at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, on February 6, 2025 in Arlington, Va. The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened two of the airport's runways following the January 29 mid-air collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet that was landing at DCA.

The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened two runways at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. They were closed after the January 29 between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines regional jet that was at DCA.

Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River, killing all 67 people aboard that occurred at approximately 300 feet in the air.

DCA has . The two that were closed – runways 4/22 and 15/33 – are shorter than the main runway and typically used during busier periods at the airport to alleviate congestion and smooth the flow of traffic into and out of DCA.

With the reopening of these runways, the FAA says it has increased the hourly arrival rate to 28 aircraft. The typical maximum arrival rate is 32 flights every hour.

The around DCA remain in effect as the National Transportation Safety Board investigation continues. The NTSB says it expects to release into the cause of the crash around February 28.

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As NPR's Southern Bureau chief, Russell Lewis covers issues and people of the Southeast for NPR — from Florida to Virginia to Texas, including West Virginia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. His work brings context and dimension to issues ranging from immigration, transportation, and oil and gas drilling for NPR listeners across the nation and around the world.
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