As Near-Miss Incidents Continue at Reagan National Airport, Here Is the Priority for DC Airport Authority

In January, the nation was horrified when an American Airlines regional jet collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The incident prompted airports nationwide to review many of their safety procedures related to the takeoffs and landings of various aircraft. Anyone in the airline industry will tell you that the safety of passengers and crew is their top priority. But with June and Pride Month celebrations approaching, and in the wake of the deadly crash at Reagan, both major airports in the nation's capital appear to have different priorities.

Happy World Pride to everyone who is flying in for this special event! pic.twitter.com/WYd2EFJqci
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) May 19, 2025

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and Reagan National Airport have announced commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Pride in Washington, D.C. The announcement read in part:

“Join the momentous celebrations as the nation’s capital is painted with pride, featuring a variety of events to inspire, empower and connect the international LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) community and their allies. [W]e proudly recognize and celebrate the experiences, achievements, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in the continuous quest for equality.”

A spokesman for the MWAA defended the announcement, saying,

“Several months each year, the Airports Authority observes cultural events recognizing Black history, women’s history, Hispanic heritage, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, as well as Pride month. Our website post recognizing World Pride is timed with the event that is currently underway, bringing many visitors to the region.”

Upon entering either airport, passengers and visitors are greeted with large signs announcing their Pride celebrations. Maybe the MWAA really can walk and chew gum at the same time, but in light of the crash that killed 67 people just a few months ago, should Pride Month, or any month for that matter, be their first priority?

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Celebrates Pride Month. pic.twitter.com/Vv5IfOSUMI
— MWAA Careers (@MWAACareers) June 4, 2024

As I first reported in January, following the crash, speculation began as to whether diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices played any role in the mid-air crash. There may be a clue as to the answer to that question. Way back in 2013, during the Obama administration, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a document entitled "Controller Hiring by the Numbers," referring to air traffic controllers. The document posed a disturbing question: “How much of a change in job performance is acceptable to achieve what diversity goals?” Wait, what? Add to that a class-action lawsuit filed in 2015 against the FAA, claiming that roughly 1,000 qualified potential air traffic controllers were not hired based on DEI hiring targets.

When asked about the timing of Pride Month celebrations just a few months after the mid-air collision, the FAA released a statement, saying, “The FAA took swift action to improve safety around Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after the Jan. 29 midair collision." However, safety problems have persisted at Reagan National, which is presided over by the MWAA.

ALSO READ: The Left Is Blaming Trump for D.C. Air Disaster, but FAA Began Weeding Out Qualified Candidates in 2013

It Almost Happened the Night Before—Flight Had to Abort Landing at Reagan When Helicopter Got Too Close

On April 10, the wing of a plane carrying House members was clipped by another aircraft on the runway. The most recent incident took place on May 1, when a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter flew through Washington, D.C. restricted airspace. This prompted air traffic controllers to instruct two commercial airliners to perform go-arounds. A subsequent FAA email stated that both commercial aircraft flew dangerously close to the helicopter. But the best part, on May 14, an FAA official confirmed that a hotline between Reagan National and the Pentagon had been inoperable since March of 2022.

For the next month, industries will trip over themselves to celebrate Pride Month. But here's a thought: maybe in professions like healthcare and airlines that deal with the lives of Americans of all persuasions, they could be exempt from the mandatory celebrations to concentrate on what their real priorities should be.

ANOTHER NEAR MISS AT REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT

Two passenger planes had to abort landings at Regan National this afternoon when a Blackhawk Helicopter yet again breached final approach.

More to come from the FAA as details emerge.

Follow: @BiglyAlerts pic.twitter.com/7J1U7ILh3V
— BIGLY ALERTS (@BiglyAlerts) May 25, 2025

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