Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 2840-2847] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-01226]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 93

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0199; Amdt. No. 93-105] RIN 2120-AM14

Flight Restrictions in the Vicinity of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: FAA is revising its regulations to implement certain flight restrictions in the airspace over the Potomac River near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) permanently. These revisions are necessary to mitigate the potential for midair collisions resulting from insufficient separation between fixed-wing aircraft operating to or from DCA and helicopters or powered-lift operating in the vertical- lift flight mode near DCA. The revisions will also fully implement a National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendation. The flight restrictions will prohibit helicopters and powered-lift operating in the vertical-lift flight mode from operating in a designated area near DCA unless these aircraft are conducting an essential operation.

DATES: This interim final rule is effective January 23, 2026. Submit comments on or before February 23, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Send comments identified by docket number FAA-2026-0199 using any of the following methods: Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to www.regulations.gov and follow the online instructions for sending your comments electronically. Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations, M-30; U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W12-140, West Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations at (202) 493-2251. Docket: Background documents or comments received may be read at www.regulations.gov at any time. Follow the online instructions for accessing the docket or go to the Docket Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Konie, Rules and Regulations Group, Policy Directorate, Air Traffic Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, 600 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20597; telephone: (202) 267-8783.