WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. House has passed a major aviation safety bill designed to prevent deadly midair collisions and restore confidence in the nation’s airspace system. Lawmakers approved the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026 by a strong bipartisan vote of 396 to 10. The legislation responds to a tragic 2025 crash near Washington that killed 67 people.
The bill follows the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigated a collision between an American Airlines passenger jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter.
The crash occurred near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Investigators found multiple safety gaps that contributed to the disaster. These included poor coordination between civilian and military aircraft and limits in existing collision-prevention systems. Lawmakers said the ALERT Act addresses all 50 safety recommendations issued after the investigation.
The bill drew backing from leaders in both parties. Sponsors included Sam Graves, Rick Larsen, Mike Rogers, and Adam Smith. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, a co-sponsor, said the bill aims to prevent another tragedy. He pointed to the Jan. 29, 2025, crash as a turning point. He said families in Northern Virginia lost loved ones and demanded change.
“We must restore trust in our airspaces,” Subramanyam said. “We want to make sure nothing like this happens again.”
The ALERT Act focuses on improving aviation safety across the United States. It strengthens coordination between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense. The bill also expands the use of advanced tracking and collision-prevention tools. Most aircraft that already carry ADS-B Out technology must now add ADS-B In systems by 2031. These systems help pilots detect nearby aircraft in real time.
Lawmakers also want better training for air traffic controllers. The bill updates procedures to handle crowded airspace more safely. It also sets stricter rules for helicopter operations and military flights in busy areas. Another provision creates a public dashboard. This tool will track progress on safety reforms and rulemaking. Officials say it will improve transparency and accountability.
The legislation pushes for stronger data sharing across agencies. It directs officials to monitor near-miss incidents more closely. These events often signal deeper safety risks. Lawmakers believe better data will help prevent accidents before they happen. They also want agencies to act faster when they detect warning signs. Subramanyam said the crash resulted from multiple failures, not a single mistake. He stressed that the system needs a full overhaul.
“It was a combination of systemic problems,” he said. “We need to address them all.”
Lawmakers also highlighted the ROTOR Act as another key step. That bill focuses on helicopter safety and has already passed the Senate. Subramanyam said both bills work together to improve safety standards. He urged Congress to move quickly to finalize the legislation. Families of the crash victims played a major role in pushing for reforms. Lawmakers credited them for keeping attention on the issue.
The ALERT Act now moves to the Senate. Lawmakers there will review the bill and may combine it with other aviation safety measures. If Congress approves the final version, it will go to the president for signature.
