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House Passes Aviation Safety Bill
The U.S. House passed the ALERT Act to enhance aviation safety after a deadly 2025 crash, though concerns remain over its effectiveness and implementation.
By Pandu Agus Wismoyo
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the ALERT Act, a major aviation safety bill aimed at preventing midair collisions, in response to the deadly January 2025 crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter killed all 67 people on board both aircraft, prompting renewed scrutiny of aviation safety systems.
Approved by a 396-10 vote, the ALERT Act requires all aircraft operating near busy airports including military planes to install systems capable of receiving real-time location data from nearby aircraft. While many aircraft already use ADS-B Out technology to broadcast their position, they often lack ADS-B In systems, which allow pilots to detect and avoid potential collisions.
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According to the National Transportation Safety Board and families of the victims, the presence of ADS-B In technology on the American Airlines flight involved in the crash could have prevented the tragedy. The bill also mandates that most military aircraft adopt collision-avoidance technology by 2031, although certain aircraft such as fighters, bombers, drones and specialized mission platforms are exempt.
The House fast-tracked the bill after rejecting the Senate’s earlier proposal, known as the ROTOR Act, which failed by one vote following the withdrawal of support from the Department of Defense. The Pentagon had initially backed the Senate bill but later raised concerns about potential budgetary burdens and operational security risks.
In addition to equipment requirements, the ALERT Act addresses helicopter route safety and separation standard issues identified as key factors in the 2025 collision. It also includes measures to improve air traffic control training and operational procedures.
Although amendments were made to align the bill more closely with safety recommendations, the NTSB noted that earlier versions did not fully address all 50 recommendations issued after the crash. Lawmakers revised the legislation to require action from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Despite these changes, victims’ families argue the bill does not go far enough, warning that the required technologies are not yet widely available and could lead to delays and exemptions. Meanwhile, lawmakers including Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell have expressed concern that the legislation lacks clear mandates, with some continuing to support the ROTOR Act as a stronger alternative.
Editor’s Note:
The passage of the ALERT Act follows the fatal 2025 collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and reflects ongoing efforts to improve aviation safety standards, with continued debate over whether the legislation fully addresses recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board and implementation challenges raised by lawmakers, victims’ families, and federal agencies.
