WASHINGTON D.C. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a permanent ban on all non-essential helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport, following a deadly mid-air collision between a US Airways flight and a military Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives.   

The decision comes after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged the FAA to take action due to a surge in near mid-air collisions involving helicopters and aircraft. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized the increased risk of accidents, stating, "The current separation between helicopters on Route 4 and aircraft landing on Runway 3 is inadequate for safety."   

The ban includes an exception for emergency missions such as medical flights, law enforcement, and presidential transport, provided they maintain a safe distance. This measure reinforces previous restrictions put in place after the January 29th collision that resulted in the loss of all passengers and crew on both the US Airways flight and the military helicopter.   

The FAA is also initiating safety reviews in eight major metropolitan areas, including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles, as well as offshore helicopter operations in the Gulf Coast. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced plans to utilize artificial intelligence to analyze data and identify high-risk areas.   

The US military has pledged its support for the FAA's enhanced safety measures and will seek alternative routes to minimize disruptions to training and operational readiness.

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