An American Airlines regional jet collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on Jan. 29. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac River near Reagan Airport.

The congested airspace over the Washington DC airport routinely sees commercial jets crossover with military aircraft, which pilots say has caused issues for decades.

So far, seven Kansans have been identified among the passengers on the D.C. bound flight. They were four Wichitans, a couple ...