# Crash families press Congress on ROTOR Act

> Victims’ families want aircraft warning tech mandated after a deadly D.C. midair crash.
- Title: Crash families press Congress on ROTOR Act · Valleynewslive
- Summary: Victims’ families want aircraft warning tech mandated after a deadly D.C. midair crash. The families’ core demand is simple: require ADS-B In on civilian and…
- Keywords: rotor act, flight 5342, washington dc, potomac river, ads-b in, ntsb, pentagon, black hawk helicopters, american airlines, sen. cruz, lame-duck session, midair collision
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/16/families-push-congress-pass-rotor-act-after-deadly-crash
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:41:17.398+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rotor act, flight 5342, washington dc, potomac river, ads-b in, ntsb, pentagon, black hawk helicopters, american airlines, sen. cruz, lame-duck session, midair collision
## Families demand action
It has been 594 days since a midair crash over Washington, D.C., killed all 67 people aboard. Victims’ families say the safety fixes still have not come.

> Families of the victims say nothing has been done since to prevent another tragedy.
## Keepsakes came home
Thousands of recovered items were returned from the Potomac River, including a teddy bear that belonged to a girl who died in the crash.

> A teddy bear made it home after the midair collision in January 2025. The little girl holding it did not.
## The bill fell short
Families want Congress to pass the ROTOR Act after it failed in the House by one vote in February. The bill would require ADS-B In warning technology.

> The legislation failed by a single vote in the House in February.
## Forty seconds mattered
The NTSB found ADS-B In could have warned Flight 5342’s crew about the helicopter about 59 seconds before impact, roughly 40 seconds earlier than they had.

> I can tell you they did not get them.
## Military aircraft included
Families also want Pentagon accountability. They say military aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters, should follow the same technology requirement.
## Next push awaits
Supporters plan to push the ROTOR Act during the lame-duck session after the November elections. A civil lawsuit against American Airlines is headed toward an April 2027 trial.
## Key takeaway

The families’ core demand is simple: require ADS-B In on civilian and military aircraft before another crew loses precious warning time.