What is ALERT Act? US moves to fix aviation safety gaps after 2025 crash

US lawmakers advance sweeping aviation safety reforms after deadly 2025 mid-air crash

Two key committees in the US House of Representatives have unanimously approved a major aviation safety reform bill aimed at addressing critical gaps identified after a deadly mid-air collision in January 2025.

The House Armed Services Committee voted 53-0 to mandate the installation of collision prevention technologies on most military aircraft by 2031, excluding fighters, bombers, and drones. Separately, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed the legislation with a 62-0 vote, introducing requirements for collision mitigation systems across civilian aircraft and helicopters.

The legislation, known as the ALERT Act, also seeks to address shortcomings in the safety culture of the Federal Aviation Administration, improve air traffic control training and procedures, and strengthen safety measures in congested airspace, particularly around Reagan Washington National Airport, the site of the fatal crash.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the bill incorporates all 50 safety recommendations issued after the accident. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy described the move as “historic,” noting that it is the first time US lawmakers have advanced legislation addressing the full set of recommendations following a major aviation disaster.

A key provision of the bill is the mandatory adoption of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems by 2031. These systems allow aircraft to share and receive real-time position data, significantly improving situational awareness and helping prevent mid-air collisions. The legislation also calls for a review of flight frequency at Reagan National Airport, which operates the busiest single runway in the United States, to assess whether current traffic levels are sustainable.

The bill now moves to the full House for a vote. If approved, lawmakers from the House and Senate will work together to reconcile differences with another aviation bill before final passage.

Background

The reforms follow the Washington DC mid-air collision 2025, involving an American Airlines regional jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in 67 fatalities. The incident remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the United States in recent years.

Investigations by the NTSB pointed to systemic weaknesses, including long-standing safety gaps and delayed implementation of recommended technologies. Officials noted that if both aircraft had been equipped with and actively using ADS-B In systems, the collision could likely have been avoided.

The tragedy has since become a turning point in the national conversation on aviation safety, prompting calls for stronger regulations and faster implementation of safety technologies.

Families push for faster implementation

While the revised bill has been welcomed by many stakeholders, families of the victims have urged lawmakers to include stricter timelines for implementing the proposed safety measures.

They argue that allowing flexibility in execution or relying on lengthy administrative processes could delay critical reforms and increase risk. According to the families, clear deadlines and enforceable standards are essential to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies.

Legislative challenges

The ALERT Act comes after a previous aviation safety bill, the ROTOR Act, failed to pass the House by a single vote despite being approved unanimously by the Senate. The earlier bill lost momentum after the Pentagon withdrew its support.

With broad bipartisan backing and support from industry groups, the ALERT Act is now seen as a more comprehensive and viable framework for improving aviation safety.

As the bill moves forward, its success will depend not only on legislative approval but also on timely and effective implementation—an issue that remains at the heart of the ongoing debate.

The push for reform highlights how in modern aviation, safety depends as much on timely policy action and regulatory enforcement as it does on technology. The outcome of this legislation could set a new benchmark for aviation safety standards, not just in the United States but globally, as the industry continues to deal with increasingly complex and crowded airspace.