A Black Hawk helicopter collided with a civilian airliner near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, raising numerous questions about the incident. The military is conducting a comprehensive investigation, with initial indications suggesting pilot error. The helicopter was reportedly flying at a higher altitude than permitted, potentially contributing to the collision.
The crash of an Army Black Hawk helicopter into a civilian airliner near Washington, D.C. , on Wednesday night has left many questions unanswered. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the military is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, stating that initial indications point towards the helicopter pilots bearing responsibility. He noted that the crew was 'fairly experienced' and engaged in a 'required annual night evaluation' utilizing night vision goggles.
Experts believe the flight may have been a 'checkride,' a periodic evaluation by an experienced instructor pilot of a less experienced pilot. This type of flight creates unique dynamics in the cockpit, with the less experienced pilot potentially feeling nervous and eager to avoid mistakes, while the instructor observes their response to various situations. While instructors may occasionally test less experienced aviators, such tactics would be unusual and unwise in this location given the limited margin for error.Defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the Black Hawk carried a male pilot, female co-pilot, and a flight crew member. The instructor pilot had accumulated 1,000 hours of flight time, considered high, while the co-pilot had 500 hours, which is average. The Pentagon has yet to release the identities of those onboard, citing the ongoing process of notifying next of kin. Authorities also disclosed that the Black Hawk was designated to fly at a maximum altitude of 200 feet, but sources indicate it was traveling at least 100 feet higher. There is a prescribed low altitude for helicopters in this specific location on the route to ensure sufficient distance between them and aircraft landing or taking off from Reagan National Airport. If the helicopter exceeded this altitude, it could be a primary contributing factor to the collision, a key area of focus for the investigation. Hegseth assured the public that a senior-level aviation investigative team was deployed immediately following the incident. He anticipates the investigation will swiftly determine if the aircraft was within the designated corridor and at the correct altitude during the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has yet to recover the crucial 'black boxes' — the cockpit voice and flight data recorders — from the plane. Federal safety investigators believe the Black Hawk helicopter also had its own recording devices, which they hope will provide further insights into the cause of the crash
BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER CRASH WASHINGTON D.C. INVESTIGATION AVIATION SAFETY PILOT ERROR
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