Approximately 30 mid-air close calls were reported by federal authorities over western North Carolina on Sept. 28 as relief efforts spike in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
More than two dozen mid-air close calls were reported in one day over western North Carolina as efforts to support local communities devastated by Hurricane Helene have surged in the state, according to federal authorities.
Approximately 30 mid-air close calls were reported in the Tar Heel State on Sept. 28 as federal officials noted a 300% spike in relief efforts caused the skies to be crowded with planes, helicopters and drones since the catastrophic storm cleared, CBS reported.
The region has since received an outpouring of support from government, search and rescue flights, as well as the National Guard, Becca Gallas, director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, told the outlet.
Despite efforts to get supplies on the ground, she said safety issues with air operations caused the Federal Aviation Administration and NCDOT to enact new regulations to reduce the risk of any mid-air collisions, especially at smaller airports with limited resources.
