Phantom planes trigger collision avoidance systems on planes near DCA after fatal crash earlier this year
On 1 March 2025, dozens of commercial pilots approaching Washington National Airport were jolted by a series of urgent midair warnings: “Traffic, traffic!” and “Descend, descend!” Yet no other aircraft were visible, and air traffic control confirmed the skies were clear. These phantom alerts, triggered by aircraft collision-avoidance systems (TCAS)