House Legislation Falls Short on Safety After Deadly DCA Crash

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in response to the tragic accident involving PSA Airlines Flight 5342.

“While we appreciate the introduction of the bipartisan Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 or the ‘ALERT Act’, which moves to implement many important recommendations contained in the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final report, this legislation regretfully falls short by not implementing a critical NTSB recommendation to require the installation of ADS-B In technology on aircraft known as Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI).  

“ADS-B In is a technology specifically designed to improve the quality of the surveillance data used by air traffic controllers, increase pilots’ situational awareness, and ultimately, help prevent midair collisions. Recently, the NTSB found that if the PSA 5342 regional jet had been equipped, the pilots would have had approximately one minute to identify the approaching helicopter, instead of 19 seconds. One minute versus 19 seconds. That difference could have saved 67 lives.

“Rather than clearly mandating ADS-B In that is integrated into the flight deck for optimal use by pilots as the ROTOR Act does, the House bill sets up an industry-driven rulemaking process for ill-defined ‘collision mitigation’ technology, covers too few aircraft, and allows for  an expansive alternative compliance waiver for commercial aircraft that may interfere with pilot situational awareness.

“Put simply, at the core of the post-accident NTSB report is a requirement that all commercial aircraft be equipped with ADS-B In with a flightdeck display of traffic information that is integrated to provide alerts to pilots. This bill likely will not mandate such life-saving technology for an expansive portion of aircraft operating into dense commercial airports.

“We have the data and the verdict is clear: no more exceptions. The ROTOR Act got it right on ADS-B In. Every aircraft required to broadcast ADS-B Out should have ADS-B In integrated into the flight deck for pilot use.

“Congress has an obligation to honor the memory of those lost a year ago with action now. ALPA strongly supports the bipartisan ROTOR Act and calls on the House to pass it without delay.  We look forward to working with the House to refine their bill and fully implement all of the NTSB recommendations.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 80,000 pilots at 42 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit ALPA.org or follow us on X @ALPAPilots.

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org