Swansenreport

Ok, so here is near miss data from Grok about near misses at DCA.  As the read out includes, it is best to look at NTSB data for a more accurate look.

Near-Miss Incidents at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

Past Year (2024–2025):

At least eight near-miss incidents were reported at DCA in 2024 alone, according to FAA data cited by various sources.

Specific incidents include:

April 2024: A commercial plane received a collision avoidance alert due to a helicopter 300 feet below, with no prior warning from air traffic control.

May 2024: An American Airlines flight nearly collided with another aircraft on a runway after being cleared for takeoff while another plane was cleared to land.

March 28, 2025: A Delta Air Lines flight came within seconds of colliding with a formation of military jets due to a communication breakdown during a military flyover.

Additionally, posts on X and news reports mention a significant number of close calls, with one source citing 15,214 near-miss events since 2021, though this figure may include minor separation violations and is not specific to 2024–2025 alone.

Past 5 Years (2020–2025):

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported over 15,000 near-miss events at DCA between October 2021 and December 2024, defined as instances where aircraft were separated by less than 6,100 feet laterally and 400 feet vertically. This includes 85 incidents where aircraft were less than 1,500 feet laterally and 200 feet vertically apart.

Since 1988, there have been 23 near-midair collisions between passenger planes and helicopters, with 10 occurring in the past 12 years, indicating a significant portion likely falls within the last 5 years.

FAA data indicates 30 near-midair collision (NMAC) reports at DCA since 1987, with at least 10 involving military aircraft, many of which occurred in recent decades.

A CNN review found at least two near-misses with helicopters reported in the three years prior to January 2025, plus additional incidents like a go-around prompted by a helicopter the day before the fatal January 2025 crash.

Context and Notes:

The high number of near-misses is attributed to DCA’s congested airspace, the busiest runway in the U.S. with over 800 daily takeoffs and landings, and the complex mix of commercial, military, and helicopter traffic in a restricted area.

The 15,214 near-miss events figure is a broad metric and may include less severe incidents, as it averages to about 15 per day. More specific NMAC reports (e.g., 30 since 1987) reflect incidents with higher risk.

Data from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) highlights recurring concerns, with pilots noting helicopters crossing airliner paths as a persistent issue.

The FAA and NTSB are investigating recent incidents, with actions like restricting helicopter traffic around DCA implemented post-January 2025 crash.

Critical Note: The 15,214 near-miss events figure should be treated with skepticism, as it may inflate the perception of risk by including minor technical violations. Official NMAC reports and specific incidents (e.g., 8 in 2024, 23 since 1988) are more reliable indicators of significant close calls. Always cross-check such figures against primary FAA or NTSB reports for accuracy, as media and social media can exaggerate or misinterpret data.