The FAA will implement radar-based separation for helicopters and airplanes at more than 150 of the nation's busiest airports to replace the current reliance on visual separation following a deadly midair collision near Reagan National Airport earlier this year.

Investigators say the Black Hawk pilots likely did not see the American Airlines jet as it circled to land on a secondary runway, helping drive the fatalities.

The January 2025 collision investigation found that air traffic controllers in Reagan’s tower relied too heavily on pilots to spot other aircraft, contributing to the tragedy.

The report notes a history of near misses in rotorcraft operations, with cadenza-style light exposure and risk factors that regulators are now addressing to prevent future incidents.

In the wake of incidents, crews reported that training and operational practices around see-and-avoid have been insufficient, prompting new safety measures.

Officials stress that visibility-based see-and-avoid shortfalls are a risk at busy airports and require strengthened procedures and vigilance from both pilots and controllers.

The policy aims to mitigate risks associated with visual see-and-avoid after near-misses highlighted its weaknesses at major hubs.

The move follows a pattern of near-misses signaling that the traditional see-and-avoid approach is inadequate, leading to proactive risk mitigation for travelers.

The FAA explains that nationwide adoption of radar-based separation, following evidence and expert reviews, will provide a more reliable safety net than visual checks alone.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association acknowledged the change but did not comment on workload impacts; NATCA says trained controllers will follow the new guidelines.

The FAA is extending Reagan National’s radar-based separation policy to a nationwide subset of major airports to prevent similar incidents.

Regulators note that near-miss incidents between helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft continued, with more than 15,000 reported since 2021 and another case in February 2026 near San Antonio International Airport.