[JohnBooty]

    but I have a feeling that will be the end of 
    DCA's usefull life as a major passenger airport.

Wait, what?

I was with you until this last sentence. You think DCA will be spun down because an accident occurred there?

This seems wild - what am I missing here?

[dehrmann]

I only have a passing interest in this, but DCA's approach is tricky, the airspace is complex and restricted, and then you mix in military pilots doing VIP helicopter training runs across the approach. The procedures make it safe-ish, but it's riskier than other major airports.