Washington — The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act, responding to the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed all 67 people aboard an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Aviation Safety Bill Passes House
The ALERT Act passed by a vote of 396 to 10. The legislation aims to improve aviation safety by requiring aircraft operating near busy airports to install instruments capable of receiving data about the location of other nearby aircraft. Whereas most planes currently broadcast their locations using ADS-B Out technology, many lack the ADS-B In technology needed for collision avoidance.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board and victims’ families, equipping American Airlines Flight 5342 with ADS-B In technology could have prevented the accident. The bill mandates that military aircraft install collision-prevention technologies by 2031, with exemptions for certain types of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and drones.
Senate Bill Stalled
The House’s passage of the ALERT Act follows the failure of a previous Senate bill, known as the ROTOR Act, in February. The ROTOR Act failed after the Pentagon reversed its support, citing “significant unresolved budgetary burdens and operational security risks affecting national defense activities.” The Pentagon had initially endorsed the ROTOR Act in December after its passage in the Senate.
The ALERT Act also addresses helicopter route safety and air traffic control procedures, areas identified by the NTSB as contributing factors to the 2025 collision. While the NTSB initially stated the ALERT Act fell short of addressing all 50 of its recommendations, subsequent amendments led the agency to state the bill would prompt actions to address those recommendations.
Despite the House’s approval, concerns remain. Victims’ families have expressed that the ALERT Act does not go far enough, citing the fact that the required collision prevention technologies are not yet widely available and could face delays in implementation.
What’s Next?
The ALERT Act now moves to the Senate. However, Senate Transportation Committee leaders, including Sens. Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, have already voiced concerns that the bill does not adequately address the demand for ADS-B technology implementation. Senator Cruz has publicly stated his preference for the ROTOR Act. We see possible the Senate will attempt to amend the ALERT Act, leading to further negotiations between the two chambers. A final version of the legislation will need to be reconciled before being sent to the President for signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the 2025 midair collision?
The NTSB determined that helicopter route safety and separation requirements were the probable cause of the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
What is ADS-B In technology?
ADS-B In is collision-avoidance technology that allows aircraft to receive data about the locations of other aircraft in the vicinity. Most planes currently have ADS-B Out, which broadcasts their location, but not ADS-B In.
What is the difference between the ALERT Act and the ROTOR Act?
The ALERT Act passed by the House addresses aviation safety, while the ROTOR Act, which previously passed the Senate, stalled after the Pentagon reversed its support due to budgetary and security concerns.
As Congress moves forward with aviation safety legislation, will the concerns of victims’ families and safety experts be adequately addressed?
