The frequency of near-midair collisions involving military aircraft near Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) exceeds the national average. While such figures may raise alarms for travelers, aviation specialists reassure that these statistics do not imply that flying is unsafe.

Recently, there were two tragic airplane incidents in quick succession, one of which involved a mid-air collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter close to DCA in Washington, D.C. The collision resulted in the loss of all 67 lives aboard both aircraft, marking the first deadly crash of a U.S. commercial flight in nearly 15 years.

There have been 30 recorded near-midair collision events around DCA since 1987, with military-related incidents accounting for about one-third of them, including seven involving helicopters. This data comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Near Midair Collision (NMAC) Reporting Program, which is primarily a self-reported database containing over 8,700 reports nationwide. Nationally, military aircraft represent 23% of NMAC reports.

“It’s crucial to maintain perspective; while 30 incidents may seem significant, it spans nearly 40 years,” stated Philip Mann, an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

NMACs, previously referred to as near-misses, are defined by the FAA as “an event associated with the operation of an aircraft where a potential collision arises due to being within less than 500 feet of another aircraft,” or when any pilot, crew member, or even passenger indicates “a collision risk” between two or more aircraft.

Mann noted that this definition could lead to some confusion.

“There might be a distance of a football-field-and-a-half between two aircraft, yet they could still be parallel,” he explained. “If they come closer than a foot inside that space, that’s considered a near miss.”

The airspace around DCA is among the busiest in the country and is notably distinct because of certain restricted areas where aircraft cannot fly, such as above the White House, due to security protocols.

“The traffic is funneled into more confined areas, and there’s a significant amount of helicopter activity in Washington, D.C., compared to other cities,” commented Mike McCormick, a former FAA director of safety and operations for air traffic control towers, who now teaches at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

“These statistics on their own don’t convey much; a thorough analysis of these events is what will provide insight,” he added.

The FAA asserts that it reviews every reported incident to improve “the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System.” The FAA did not respond promptly to YSL News’s request for additional information.

Flying on U.S. commercial airlines remains the safest mode of transport, and the industry plans to use the lessons learned from last week’s tragic accidents to inform future safety measures.

“The rarity of these occurrences is what makes them newsworthy,” said Mann.