The Department of Defense has suspended helicopter training flights near the Pentagon.
The decision comes shortly after the Army had resumed such flights following the deadly midair collision in January between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Eagle CRJ-700.
On Thursday, two commercial aircraft—operated by Republic Airways and Delta Air Lines—were forced to abort their landings on approach to Runway 19 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA).
According to an FAA spokesperson, an air traffic controller directed both planes to go around to avoid a Black Hawk helicopter en route to the Pentagon. The helicopter was flying under the Priority Air Transport (PAT) call sign, the same designation used in the January crash.
In response, training flights near the Pentagon are once again being suspended, CBS reported. A military official indicated the pause will likely remain in effect until a preliminary report on Thursday’s incident is released.
