Pentagon-Airport Hotline Broken for Three Years: FAA Unaware

A critical communication line between Washington's National Airport and the Pentagon has been out of service for over three years, a recent Senate hearing revealed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) admitted they were unaware of the problem until a near-miss incident on May 1st, 2025, prompted an investigation. FAA Deputy Chief Operating Officer Franklin McIntosh testified, "We were not aware, but we became aware after that event. And now that we became aware of that event, we’re insisting on that line to be fixed." The Department of Defense maintains the hotline, and the lack of communication raises safety concerns. The incident occurred following a deadly January 2025 helicopter-airplane collision, highlighting the need for immediate repair of the critical communication link. The committee is committed to ensuring a safe return to operations at DCA.