Tragic Washington Crash: NTSB Investigates Miscommunication and Altitude Concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent mid-air collision near Washington, D.C., has left 67 people dead, including all those aboard an Army helicopter and an American Airlines jet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released initial findings, indicating potential miscommunication and altitude inaccuracies among the flight crews.

Potential Miscommunication Issues Identified

According to NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy, cockpit recordings from the Army helicopter suggest that the crew did not fully understand key instructions from air traffic controllers. An incomplete radio transmission may have interrupted vital instructions, such as moving the helicopter behind the arriving jet. Homendy stated, “The transmission was interrupted—it was stepped on,” leaving the helicopter crew unable to hear specific directives.

In addition to this, the helicopter pilots may have also missed part of another communication, failing to hear that the jet was turning toward a different runway.

Helicopter on Training Flight

The helicopter was conducting its annual readiness test and a night vision goggles proficiency test at the time of the accident. Homendy highlighted that the entire flight, including the pilots, was wearing night vision goggles, which likely impaired their peripheral vision.

Investigation Timeline

Homendy emphasized that a comprehensive final report from the NTSB could take over a year. She noted that the investigation is still in its early stages, and the team is probing several unresolved issues. “We’re only a couple of weeks out from the crash,” she said. “We have a lot of work to do.”

Deadliest U.S. Plane Crash Since 2001

This tragic event ranks as the deadliest plane crash in the U.S. since the September 11, 2001 attacks, when a jetliner collided with a New York City neighborhood shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people aboard and five more on the ground.

Aviation Expert Weighs In

William Waldock, a professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, underscores that interrupted transmissions are a known issue in aviation. He notes the importance of pilots asking for instructions to be repeated if missed, especially given the responsibility of maintaining separation between the aircraft.

“It’s an old story and one of the problems oftentimes with radio communications,”

Altitude Data Confusion

The NTSB is also investigating conflicting altitude data reported by the helicopter crew. Cockpit conversations indicated that the pilot called out an altitude of 300 feet, while the instructor pilot stated they were at 400 feet. Given the collision occurred at approximately 278 feet, the investigation is delving into the potential for inaccurate readouts.

The helicopter’s Black Hawk model typically uses two types of altimeters: one based on barometric pressure and one using radio frequency signals. Pilots rely on barometric readings during flight, but the radio altitude data captured by the black box plays a critical role in the investigation.

Helicopter Pilot Assumptions

Experts suggest that the helicopter pilots might have misidentified the traffic. Waldock speculates that the crew could have concentrated on a different plane that had just taken off, leading them to overlook the descending American Airlines jet.

“If they did indeed lock onto that departing airplane and assume that’s the traffic they were supposed to be avoiding, they didn’t see the other airplane coming,”

The American Airlines Flight

The American Airlines flight, bound for Wichita, Kansas, was preparing to land when it collided with the helicopter. Captained by Jonathan Campos, the pilot’s actions in sharply angling the plane upward seconds before impact suggest a last-ditch evasive maneuver.

Demise of the Army Crew

The Army identified the Black Hawk crew as Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach, an experienced pilot from Durham, North Carolina; Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, a crew chief from Lilburn, Georgia; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, from Great Mills, Maryland. Lobach’s colleagues described her as meticulous, “brilliant, and fearless.”

American Airlines Passengers

The American Airlines jet’s passengers came from various backgrounds, including hunters, students, parents, and members of the Skating Club of Boston, returning from a development camp for elite junior skaters following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

President Trump’s Remarks

Almost immediately following the crash, President Donald Trump criticized the helicopter for flying too high. He later also critiqued federal diversity and inclusion efforts affecting air traffic controllers, although he could not substantiate these claims. President Trump later blamed an “obsolete” air traffic control system for the accident.

Conclusion

The National Transportation Safety Board’s ongoing investigation into the tragic crash in Washington, D.C., focuses on critical details such as communication breakdowns and altitude inaccuracies. The incident highlights the challenges faced by aviation professionals and underscores the critical importance of clear, unobstructed communication in maintaining air safety.

As the investigation progresses, it will be crucial to understand each layer of the event to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The community mourns the loss of 67 individuals and their loved ones, while experts eagerly await the final report to shed light on this tragic event.