Regional Jet And Military Helicopter Closed To Less Than 1,000 Feet Lateral Separation

The FAA said that a Republic Airlines regional jet flying for US Airways and a military helicopter closed within about 950 feet of lateral separation near Washington Regan National Airport (KDCA) Friday afternoon.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said in a statement relayed by CNN that the Republic flight was on approach to runway 33 at KDCA on about a one-mile final, and the helo was on "helicopter route 4" on the east side of the Potomac River. Both aircraft were on the same frequency, according to Brown.

The helicopter pilot was instructed by ATC to pass below and behind the jet, which he reportedly acknowledged. Brown said that the helicopter pilot had "briefly climbed" to 400 feet as the regional jet was crossing through that altitude on final. About a mile south of the airport over the river, the jet's collision avoidance system alerted, and the pilot of the jet broke off his approach and circled to land, according to NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss. Both aircraft arrived safely.

Audio transcripts of the conversation between controllers and the helicopter indicate that there were three traffic alerts given to the helo pilot before the jet broke off its approach. The helo is based at Joint Base Andrews just south of Washington.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov