On February 20th, 2026, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) introduced the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026.
The ALERT Act was introduced in response to the various aviation safety issues raised by the tragic 2025 midair collision between a UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The legislation addresses all 50 safety related recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which concluded its thorough investigation and issued its final report on February 17, 2026.
The ALERT Act considers all of the NTSB’s findings of probable cause that contributed to the accident and responds to each of the NTSB’s 50 safety recommendations to provide a thorough and holistic legislative approach to improve U.S. aviation safety.
Numerous aviation stakeholders have expressed support for the ALERT Act.
Additional Resources:
February 24, 2026: Graves and Larsen Statement on Next Steps for the ALERT Act
February 24, 2026: Graves Statement on ROTOR Act Vote and Commitment to Mark Up the Comprehensive ALERT Act
February 23, 2026: Chairman Graves’ Statement in the House During Consideration of ROTOR Act Endorsing the ALERT Act
