U.S. restricts helicopter flights after deadly mid-air collision near Washington

U.S. authorities have restricted helicopter flights near Reagan Washington National Airport indefinitely following a midair collision that killed 67 people.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the measure on Friday as crews worked to recover wreckage from the Potomac River. The agency said only police and medical helicopters would be allowed in the restricted zone while investigators assess the risks. It remains unclear how long the restrictions will last.

Officials confirmed that 41 bodies had been recovered by Friday, with 28 positively identified. Washington, D.C., Fire Chief John Donnelly said efforts were ongoing to retrieve all victims, noting that moving the plane’s submerged fuselage would improve access.

The crash, the deadliest U.S. air disaster in two decades, has raised fresh concerns about air traffic safety. Reagan National, one of the country’s busiest single-runway airports, has faced persistent issues with air traffic controller shortages. Airport officials said two of its three runways would remain closed for at least a week, severely impacting flight operations.

Investigators continue to examine what led to the collision as authorities face growing scrutiny over safety protocols in one of the nation's most congested airspaces.

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