NTSB has opened an investigation into the issue at DCA:
Press Advisory
Related in a sense, they have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a Central Florida TRACON request that a Southwest Airlines flight look into the cockpit of an unresponsive light aircraft. They radar vectored the SWA flight to the proximity of the light aircraft.
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
March 29, 2011
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NTSB INVESTIGATING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING AN ATC REQUEST FOR A COMMERCIAL
AIRCRAFT TO FLY NEAR A NON-RESPONSIVE AIRPLANE
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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident
involving a Southwest Airlines airplane that was requested to veer off course
by Air Traffic Control to view into the cockpit of a general aviation
airplane that had been out of radio communication.
On Sunday, March 27, 2011, Southwest Airlines flight 821 was requested by
Central Florida Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) to check on a Cirrus
SR22 that had been out of radio contact for an hour. The TRACON vectored the
Southwest Airlines commercial flight until visual contact was obtained with
the Cirrus.
The NTSB has designated Dan Bartlett as the Investigator-in-Charge.