FAA issues permanent restrictions on Washington helicopter traffic after fatal collision

The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it is imposing permanently restrictions on non-essential helicopter operations around Washington Reagan National Airport and eliminating helicopter and passenger jet mixed traffic.

The FAA is permanently closing one key route and evaluating alternative helicopter routes after the National Transportation Safety Board this week made two urgent safety recommendations following the Jan. 29 mid-air collision of an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

The FAA will also prohibit use of two smaller runways at the airport when helicopters conducting urgent missions are operating near the airport.