FAA memo names RMMA the most dangerous airport in the U.S., prompting new flight paths and community concerns

An FAA memo released in June identified Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, about 16 miles northwest of downtown Denver, as leading the National Airspace System in Potentially Significant Events, including runway incursions and airborne safety incidents. The memo notes RMMA's growth in recent years as a factor in the safety concerns. The Beechcraft 95 crash in May, in which a door opened mid-takeoff and the crew could not regain control, is cited among the safety scares; two people died.

The memo also notes that RMMA hosts four flight schools and experiences a high volume of operations for a regional airport; the airport was the site of another fatal crash in 2022 when a Cessna 172 local flight crashed in a nearby field, killing the pilot. The memo's release came as the FAA prepared to update procedures.

Effective June 16, 2025, the FAA, in coordination with local BJC flight schools and other airport users, implemented structured traffic flows to and from the runways to minimize risk and increase safety.

RMMA leadership said they were surprised by the memo and the changes to flight paths. Erick Dahl, RMMA's director, told CBS that the FAA does not consult the airport before making airspace changes. "The FAA periodically updates internal procedures to enhance safety and efficiency in the airspace. These internal communications are between FAA staff and FAA air traffic controllers. They do not originate from RMMA and were not developed by airport staff," he said.

Louisville residents are expressing concerns about the new flight paths, which officials say go directly over homes. Hobby pilot Marty Reibold, who lives in the area, told CBS there are "too many flight schools, way too much traffic, and clearly a lack of accountability for what is taking place at the operation center." He added that for a prospective visitor, "God, no" if asked whether RMMA is a place to fly to.

Dahl said RMMA does not control flight paths and that the FAA makes those decisions. Sydny Boyd, RMMA's public affairs and communications specialist, said, "The FAA's internal procedures are between FAA staff and air traffic controllers and were not developed by RMMA."

An FAA spokesperson said the agency remains "committed to meaningful dialogue with communities." If a community is concerned about aircraft noise, the best course of action is to contact the local aviation community roundtable or the airport operator. RMMA officials said they will continue to share community concerns with the FAA and provide updates when information becomes available.

Louisville residents are pressing to be heard as the FAA rolls out changes intended to boost safety, while critics warn that more work is needed to mitigate noise and risk at a growing regional airport.

The memo underscores ongoing questions about balancing airport growth with community impact and safety oversight in the national airspace system.