Senator Ted Budd Questions NTSB Chair on Route 4 Closure and DCA Airspace Safety

NTSB Preliminary Report Findings

• 💡 The NTSB invalidated a pressure altitude reading from the multi-purpose flight recorder (MPFR) due to a conflict with other altitude readings, specifically noting it was much lower than expected compared to the CRJ.
• ⚠️ This prevented the determination of the Blackhawk's barometric altitude, as both pressure altitude and barometric pressure setting are required, and the former was unavailable.

Military Aviation and Continuity of Government

• 🎯 General Brahman emphasized the vital importance of military aviation missions for readiness and continuity of government operations, with 75% of the 12th Aviation Battalion's flights supporting these rehearsals.
• ⚡ The Army is confident in its ability to continue priority air and transport missions, even with potential routing changes, due to participation in working groups influencing routing decisions.

Route 4 Closure and DCA Airspace Safety

• ✈️ NTSB Chair Homdy stated their recommendation to the FAA was the permanent closure of Route 4 when runways 15 and 33 are in use at DCA.
• ⚠️ The FAA was aware of the airspace design, which showed a mere 75 feet of vertical separation between an aircraft on approach to Runway 33 and a helicopter on Route 4, prior to the incident.
• 🔍 The FAA immediately restricted the airspace after the incident to review circumstances and is examining similar