A devastating midair collision between a commercial regional jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter comes as U.S. aviation safety has been increasingly called into question.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the plane, which had departed from Wichita, Kansas, collided with the military helicopter before crash-landing into the river.
The Army stated that the UH-60 Black Hawk was operating out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, but it was unclear whether it had been departing or returning at the time of the incident.
This catastrophe is yet another warning sign for America’s air travel system, which has been plagued by repeated safety concerns, staffing shortages, and increased near-miss incidents in recent years.
A New York Times investigation in 2023 revealed that near-catastrophic incidents involving commercial airlines were happening “multiple times a week” due to safety lapses and human error.
One of the biggest contributors to these risks has been the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, who have long warned that a disaster was inevitable if urgent staffing issues were not addressed.
FAA records have shown that mistakes made by overworked controllers have led to numerous near-collisions, particularly at or near busy airports.
Despite these warnings, government agencies and airline officials have continued to insist that U.S. air travel is the safest in the world.
The FAA, for example, touts its extensive safety measures, including pilot training, air traffic control oversight, and automated alert systems designed to prevent disasters.
However, the alarming increase in reported near-miss incidents suggests that these safety nets are fraying.
President Trump offered his condolences before speculating on the cause of the crash.
“The helicopter was going straight at the airplane for an extended period of time. It is a CLEAR NIGHT, the lights on the plane were blazing, why didn’t the helicopter go up or down, or turn, Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane,” he said in a social media post.
“This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
Authorities have not disclosed any information about casualties or survivors at this time.
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Prophesy
I can hear it now, “Oh, It’s Trump’s fault.” When it’s the legacy of Biden and Mayor Pete.
Washington air collision end Jan 25
The entire event is strange:
Admittedly, the passenger jet’s approach is an unusual one: Not straight and on Instrument Landing, but in left turn curve (~30′) immediately before landing, but executed on perfect sight conditions.
The helicopter flying in not fully straight line, clearly crossing the jet’s landing path – and whoever was at the controls would have seen the jet coming ahead, slightly on left side AND leaning sidewise (see lights) for the curve. Thus, the chopper pilot would have known about the jet’s turning course.
A plane on landing approach goes at low speed and reduced maneuverability. The jet pilot “could” have avoided the chopper (which he saw, too) by leveling his plane and going straight – BUT HE WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT THE CHOPPER PILOT TO LEAVE HIS PATH AND GO, MOST LIKELY, TOWARDS BEHIND THE JET, i.e. TO HIS OWN LEFT ! (alternative: change rotor blade angle for ascent – but not recommendable because of proximity to jet).
BUT INSTEAD, THE CHOPPER TURNED RIGHT (~10-15’) THE MINUTE BEFORE COLLISION!!! WHY!!!
What caused an additional danger was the lacking TOWER COMMAND: The “Do you see CRJ?” was useless – OF COURSE, HE SAW IT!
INSTEAD: “Pat25 – TURN TO PORT, BEHIND JET!” – CORRECTION: THEY SAID THAT, TOO! (other report). But chopper pilot disobeyed order!
So, WHY he did NOT do the most sensible – or, if it was a training flight: Where the flight Instructor had left his brain is beyond any imagination!
PS: Witness report of the AA jet “banking to the right – up to 90′ – is a bit …. well, let’s say, would only be possible, if jet pilots had LAST MOMENT(!) realized the chopper going to hit them – AND RIPPED THEIR PLANE ROUND TO THE RIGHT TO SWERVE PAST IT! – TOO LATE – BUT THEY NEVER EXPECTED THAT APPROACH! [if they had turned further left, with the plane already left leaning(!), immediate banking would have been most likely – Ripping the plane over, up and right (with full throttle!) could get increased air effect – but would have to be handled with GREAT SENSIVITY! or could cause banking and crash.
However, the breaking of the jet’s body in two indicates that it was hit before the fall – So, this report is not fully clear. I assume the jet was hit and cut sideways!
D. J. Boost
(ex NATO airspace controller)