Every month, roughly six near‑miss incidents are reported when commercial airplanes are landing or taking off at U.S. airports. These events, which involve another piloted aircraft coming dangerously close, are recorded through voluntary reports from flight crews, suggesting the true number may be higher.
Recent Data and Notable Incidents
Since the fatal collision on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C., that claimed 67 lives when an American Airlines jet struck a military helicopter, at least 95 near‑misses have been logged nationwide, according to a Get the Facts Data Team analysis covering data through May 2026. The analysis identified 33 airports where such incidents occurred, while the locations of nearly 50 other reports remain undisclosed.
One striking example occurred in October 2025 at Erie International Airport in Pennsylvania, where a commercial flight crew reported a helicopter coming within 100 feet on landing. The pilot expressed concern that air‑traffic control had not warned them, noting that lessons from the January 2025 crash may not have been fully integrated into current procedures.
Unresolved Safety Recommendations
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates aviation accidents and issues safety recommendations, but it lacks authority to enforce them. Currently, 270 safety improvements remain open, with 51 directly linked to the 2025 Washington, D.C., tragedy. Historically, it takes more than four and a half years for Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration, or other responsible agencies to adopt NTSB recommendations.
For perspective, two recommendations stemming from the 1994 Pittsburgh crash that killed 132 people were only adopted in December 2025—31 years after the accident.
Military Aircraft and Civilian Operations
Approximately 30% of the reported near‑misses involved helicopters, and several pilots have highlighted the lack of consistent safety guidelines for military aircraft operating in civilian airspace. A proposed bill that would require military aircraft to follow the same aviation safety rules as commercial planes failed to pass the House of Representatives in February.
One pilot, after a near‑miss with a military helicopter at Greenville‑Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina, remarked, “I do not understand why we operate in the same environment, but they are not held to the same operational standards we are.” This sentiment underscores ongoing concerns about divergent operational standards.
Family Advocacy and Ongoing Efforts
Families of the victims from the 2025 Washington, D.C., crash have spent the past 19 months advocating for stronger aviation safety measures. They are scheduled to speak before the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning to continue pressing for reforms.
While the data reveal a troubling frequency of near‑misses, the lag in implementing safety recommendations remains a critical issue. Continued monitoring, transparent reporting, and timely adoption of NTSB guidance are essential steps toward reducing these hazardous incidents and safeguarding both passengers and crew.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
