Helicopter flight rules tightened at Las Vegas airport following fatal crash analysis

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed new flight restrictions for tour helicopters arriving and departing from Harry Reid International Airport.

The changes stem from FAA officials conducted a nationwide analysis at hotspot airports, and their findings revealed what officials say were “several immediate issues.”

A release issued Tuesday by the FAA reveals the tragic mid-air crash between the military black hawk helicopter and an American Airlines plane that left 67 people dead in Washington, D.C., in January exposed what officials call hazards from the mix of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft in surrounding airspace.

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“What this has done is really raised the FAA to the point of taking a look at helicopter operations where they mix with fixed wing aircraft all over the country,” said pilot and aviation expert Reed Yadon.

Now, as FAA officials look at high-trafficked airports that have chartered helicopter routes and nearby airplane traffic, Harry Reid International airport tower controllers were found to be lacking in compliance with Class B separation rules by not issuing traffic advisories for returning air tour helicopters and arriving or departing airplanes.

“What I think the FAA wants is more communication. I think in the case of Harry Reid, they were a little bit concerned about helicopters coming back inbound and mixing, remixing with fixed-wing aircraft. I think they were concerned about separation procedures and just the communication procedures,” Yadion said.

Within three weeks of implementing changes, FAA officials say traffic alert and collision avoidance system reports have decreased by 30 percent.

“There are more advisories issued to pilots, more communications between the controllers and the pilot, and there will be, I think, some additional space allowed for separation. The FAA’s whole idea is to prevent. It’s prevention through education and procedures, and it's not a punitive thing,” Yadon said.

Luke Nimmo, a spokesperson for the Clark County Department of Aviation, referred all questions about the findings to the FAA.