House rejects quick passage of bill that some say would have prevented deadly DC midair collision [View all]

Source: CNN US

Updated Feb 24, 2026, 4:20 PM ET
PUBLISHED Feb 24, 2026, 4:45 AM ET


Washington - The House of Representatives rejected a measure Tuesday afternoon that would have swiftly mandated collision avoidance systems on every plane in the US. Supporters have advocated for the ROTOR Act, saying it could have prevented last year’s deadly midair collision near Washington, DC.

Sixty-seven people were killed on January 29, 2025, when a US Army helicopter on a training flight collided with an American Airlines regional jet, operated by PSA Airlines, as it was landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Most aircraft are already required to automatically send out signals known as ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast), which include their location and other data so they can be tracked. The American regional plane was sending out the signal, but Army helicopters did not transmit the data. Neither pilot was able to receive information from the other because their aircraft were only equipped to transmit, not receive, ADS-B information.

The ROTOR Act, which was introduced in the Senate last year, would require all aircraft transmitting to also receive ADS-B data, called “ADS-B In,” so pilots could use it to look for other aircraft. On Tuesday, the House voted to not give the bill a fast track to passage, which would have required approval of two-thirds of representatives. It still could be approved, but will now need to go through the standard legislative process.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/24/us/house-midair-collision-bills