On January 30, 2025, 67 people were killed when an American Airlines passenger jet collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C.

According to investigators, the Army aircraft wasn’t transmitting its position using ADS-B—an essential aviation safety system used to prevent collisions.

This wasn’t a technical failure. The Army had deliberately turned it off.

ADS-B Out is required on most civilian aircraft for a reason: it broadcasts a plane’s location so others can see and avoid it.

But Army policy allowed crews to switch it off, even when flying in crowded civilian airspace. That policy had deadly consequences.

This crash wasn’t just a tragedy—it was preventable.

We’re calling on the Secretary of the Army to immediately update Army policy so that ADS-B Out remains on during all non-combat flights in shared airspace.

We also urge the Department of Defense to ensure all military branches follow a standard that protects civilian lives first.

Safety shouldn’t be optional. 67 families lost their loved ones. Let’s make sure this never happens again.