DANGEROUS SKIES: Decades of close calls before American Airlines plane, Black Hawk helicopter mid-air collision

Aviation experts have raised serious concerns about the airspace surrounding Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., following a catastrophic collision that killed 67 people and highlighted decades of safety concerns.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data reveals a series of near-misses dating back to 1987, with over 30 reported incidents of potential mid-air collisions. 

At least 10 of these dangerous incidents involved military aircraft, creating a consistent threat in one of America’s most congested airspaces.

The recent American Airlines crash on January 29 is a perfect example of the long-standing risks. 

Just 24 hours before the fatal collision, a passenger jet was forced to circle and reattempt landing due to a nearby military helicopter.

Retired military pilots have long warned about the complexities of navigating this airspace. 

Darrell Feller, a former US Army National Guard pilot, recounted a personal experience from a decade ago where he was forced to descend to just 50 feet above the Potomac River to avoid a potential collision with a passenger jet.

"I could not see him, I lost him in the city lights," Feller told reporters, pointing out the visibility challenges.

Ross Aimer, a veteran United Airlines captain, was blunt in his assessment. 

"This was a disaster waiting to happen," said Aimer. 

"Those of us who have been around a long time have been yelling into a vacuum that something like this would occur because our systems are stretched to extremes."

Preliminary investigations have exposed vulnerabilities in the airport's operations. 

A recent FAA report indicated that only one supervisor was performing the work of two during the time of the crash, potentially compromising air traffic control.

Questions remain about why the Black Hawk helicopter was flying more than 100 feet above its permitted altitude, putting it on a direct collision course with the passenger jet.

Legal experts are now calling for immediate action.

Aviation attorney Robert Clifford has urged the US government to temporarily suspend military helicopter operations in Reagan's airspace.

"I can't get over how stunningly clear it is that this was a preventable crash and this should never, ever have occurred," said Clifford.

Jim Brauchle, a former U.S. Air Force navigator, emphasized the slim margins for error at Reagan National Airport.

"Even if everybody is doing what they're supposed to be doing, you've only got a few hundred feet separation between aircraft coming in to land and the many helicopters along that route," said Brauchle. 

"It doesn't leave a whole lot of margin of error."

With seven previous incidents involving military helicopters under similar circumstances, the January 29 crash represents the long-standing safety concerns that the aviation community has repeatedly warned about.

As the investigations continue, the aviation industry and regulatory bodies face mounting pressure to address the systemic risks in Reagan National Airport's airspace.