Following the release of the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final report on the midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342, which resulted in 67 fatalities, there is renewed pressure for the House to pass the ROTOR Act. The bipartisan legislation, which unanimously passed the Senate in December 2025, aims to address safety issues identified by investigators and implement key NTSB recommendations.
The ROTOR Act would require aircraft operating in congested airspace that are already equipped with ADS-B Out technology to also have ADS-B In location technology. It would further mandate that the Federal Aviation Administration conduct safety reviews of crowded airspace at airports nationwide.
Senator Maria Cantwell stated: “For 20 years the NTSB has been recommending that aircraft be equipped with ADSB-In. The bipartisan ROTOR Act requires it. The House needs to pass the ROTOR Act now and honor the 67 lives lost on Jan. 29, 2025. And we are definitely doing further reforms.”
During testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on February 12, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized that had the ROTOR Act been law at the time of the crash, it could have prevented it. She noted: “We’ve issued safety recommendations like ADS-B In, over and over and over again, aimed at preventing just these kinds of collisions. Recommendations that have been rejected, sidelined or just plain ignored.” Homendy supports implementation of this recommendation through passage of the ROTOR Act.
According to NTSB findings, current collision avoidance systems such as TCAS II were insufficient in preventing last year’s tragedy. If Flight 5342 had been equipped with ADS-B In technology, pilots could have received alerts about nearby helicopter traffic almost a minute before impact—far earlier than what TCAS II provided.
Family members of victims from Flight 5342 called for urgent action: “Congress should act now. Pass the ROTOR Act and then continue the urgent work of closing remaining safety gaps — before another family is forced to learn…that waiting carries consequences measured in lives.”
Tim and Sheri Lilley, whose son Sam was First Officer on Flight 5342, expressed appreciation for bipartisan efforts leading to Senate passage: “We are deeply appreciative of the bipartisan effort that led to today’s Senate passage of the ROTOR Act…With this important action, Senators across the aisle honored the 67 lives lost on January 29…We urge the House to act promptly and ensure these safety measures advance without delay.”
A coalition letter from labor organizations including AFL-CIO and ALPA stated: “The Potomac Mid-Air Collision is…the deadliest U.S. airspace accident in more than 20 years…this crash was predictable and preventable…and…the only way to avoid another recurrence…and honor…the lives…is to implement…the clearly delineated performance standards for ADS-B In as well as remaining NTSB recommendations.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) also thanked Senators Cruz and Cantwell for their leadership: “The ROTOR Act will enhance safety for commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft…”
ALPA added criticism toward alternative legislation not mandating installation of critical cockpit display technology: “…the core of…the post-accident NTSB report is a requirement that all commercial aircraft be equipped with ADS-B In with a flightdeck display…” They urged Congress not to allow exceptions.
Other groups supporting swift passage include Allied Pilots Association (“This critical legislation is a long-overdue step toward modernizing our national airspace…”), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (“APFA urges swift passage...requiring precision location technology known as ‘ADS-B In’...”), Transportation Trades Department - AFL-CIO (“we welcome Senate passage...and urge House...to follow suit”), Airlines for America (“we appreciate...improve aviation safety”), American Airlines (“American Airlines urges...House to act expeditiously…”), Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (“SWAPA urges Congress...to ensure our aviation system remains safest…”), Boeing Company (“supports goals...of [ROTOR] Act as drafted…”), Mayor Muriel Bowser (“marks a critical step toward making Washington DC’s airspace safer…”), Airports Council International – North America (“a welcome step for airports as it supports safer…airspace management”), Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (“enhances aviation safety while enabling aircraft efficiency…”), Secretary Sean Duffy (“will increase communication protocol between aircraft…built on progress since January tragedy”), Regional Airline Association (applauding elimination of loophole allowing some military flights without transmitting location data), Reliable Robotics (supporting accelerated adoption of new collision avoidance technologies).
The bipartisan measure is led by Ranking Member Cantwell alongside Chair Ted Cruz; both serve on committees responsible for reviewing transportation policy during congressional sessions according to information available from the official website.
Senator Cantwell has played an active role in responding legislatively following last January’s incident near Reagan National Airport—including introducing related bills calling for permanent helicopter restrictions near DCA—and continues advocating reforms incorporated into this act.
As stakeholders await today’s vote in Congress’ lower chamber, many call attention not only to technological upgrades but also broader changes needed across U.S. airspace oversight—a matter regularly reviewed by the Senate Commerce Committee, which addresses policies concerning commerce and transportation from its offices based in Washington D.C.’s Russell Building.
