• The NTSB hearings aim to uncover causes of the deadly collision and improve aviation safety.
• The January crash involved an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 onboard.
• Investigations revealed discrepancies in the helicopter's altitude readings and air traffic control failures prior to the crash.
• Legislation has been proposed to require all military aircraft to use critical location broadcasting technology.
• The hearings will address ongoing concerns about congested airspace management around Washington, D.C.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has commenced a three-day hearing to investigate the midair collision that occurred on January 29 between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in the deaths of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft. This incident is cited as the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001, renewing concerns regarding aviation safety, particularly in the crowded airspace surrounding Washington, D.C., which is shared by commercial and military flights, according to NPR and ABC News.

The first day of hearings focused on the helicopter’s altitude readings and data systems. Investigators revealed that the Black Hawk was flying between 80 to 100 feet above the allowed altitude of 200 feet, with faulty altimeter readings cited as a significant factor in the crash's circumstances. Testing showed similar discrepancies in altitude for other Army helicopters, raising alarms about the reliability of their air data systems, according to HuffPost and Reuters.

The hearings are intended to address how both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Army contributed to the incident. Evidence presented in the hearings revealed a troubling history of near misses in the airspace around Reagan National Airport, with the FAA reportedly failing to act on patterns of conflict between military and commercial flights. Notably, one controller managed both helicopter and commercial traffic during the crash, further complicating safety measures, as highlighted by CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Moreover, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced new legislation aimed at enhancing aviation safety, which includes mandatory transmission of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) location data for military aircraft. Cruz emphasized that allowing exemptions for military flights could compromise public safety in congested airspace, a sentiment echoed during the hearings that question existing practices and oversight within military aviation protocols, according to HuffPost, Reuters, and ABC News.

The NTSB plans to use this hearing not only to ascertain the events leading to the crash but also to recommend safety improvements to avoid similar incidents in the future. With an extensive public docket of evidence and testimonies expected to provide clarity over the crash, the final comprehensive report will be released next year. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy noted the importance of these discussions in recognizing systemic problems within the current air traffic control framework, as reported by CBS News and Los Angeles Times.