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Military Black Hawk Helicopter Collision with Commercial Flight: Preliminary Analysis Reveals Alarming Details
A fresh look at the data from the tragic midair collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines passenger jet has uncovered critical details that may shed light on the causes of the January 29 incident, which claimed 67 lives.
Conflicting Altitudes and Altimeter Accuracy
Official findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggest that the helicopter’s altimeter—a device that measures altitude—may have been unreliable. National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the helicopter’s radio altimeter read 278 feet above ground. However, homendy noted that this may not have been the altitude referenced by the pilot and her instructor at the time of the crash.
According to new data, just before impact, the instructor pilot and the pilot flying the helicopter read out different altitudes. This discrepancy is crucial as the dedicated helicopter route where they were flying had a strict altitude limit of 200 feet.
Disagreements with Air Traffic Control
Investigators are also examining voice recordings from both the control tower and the helicopter. They have discovered that the helicopter pilots may have missed critical instructions from the Reagan National Airport control tower. Specifically, before the collision, the tower instructed the helicopter to pass behind a commuter jet, but this instruction was not heard in the helicopter’s recordings, possibly due to the explanation that the pilot’s microphone was keyed to make a similar request to the tower simultaneously.
ADS-B Equipment and Night Vision Goggles
There has been speculation regarding the Black Hawk helicopter’s ADS-B equipment, designed to broadcast the aircraft’s location, altitude, and other key factors while monitoring surrounding aircraft. Homendy confirmed that the helicopter was equipped with necessary ADS-B technology and was capable of transmitting. However, investigators remain puzzled as to why it did not transmit during the crash.
Additionally, Homendy revealed that the helicopter crew was likely wearing night vision goggles while performing a check ride, a practical exam type involving annual and night vision goggles checks. This information underscores the complex procedures and equipment involved in the mission.
Impact and Investigations
Just over two seconds before the crash, the American Airlines regional jet’s last recorded radio altitude was 313 feet. One second prior to impact, the plane started to pitch upward, indicating the pilots were aware something was amiss. The helicopter had a combined cockpit voice recorder and digital flight data recorder, which investigators are examining in detail.
As of now, the NTSB has completed its work at the crash site and is focusing on fact-finding and analysis of physical evidence. This includes a visibility study involving laser scanning of the cockpit models of both aircraft to understand the pilots’ field of view.
The black box voice recorder from the Black Hawk helicopter was recovered with no signs of damage on January 31 and is currently being analyzed along with the flight data recorder from the American Airlines flight at the NTSB laboratories.
Commitment to Truth and Transparency
In an effort to provide a thorough investigation, Homendy emphasized that the NTSB will “get to the bottom of this.” The preliminary report on the crash is expected to be released by the end of the month, providing more concrete conclusions based on the gathered evidence.
The investigation, which will include examining the conflicting data and system discrepancies, is expected to take considerable time but will be essential in understanding how such a tragic incident occurred under clear skies in one of the country’s most closely monitored airspace areas.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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